Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2015
115. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps taken by An Garda Síochána, the prison authorities, the courts and any other State body, when a person who is released from prison early goes on to re-offend shortly after release; whether such cases are analysed; the parties involved in that analysis; whether the victims are communicated with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33572/15]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that any offender who breaches his or her conditions, including committing a criminal offence, may be arrested and returned to prison immediately by the Gardaí or may be refused another period of reviewable temporary release. If someone re-offends on temporary release, the matter of their prosecution is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider.
If the person is returned to prison to serve the remaining part of their sentence as a result of breaching their temporary release conditions, this information is kept on file and is taken into consideration by the Irish Prison Service for any future temporary release decisions that are taken in respect of that offender. Behaviour on temporary release is one of the criteria to be considered as outlined in the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003. The Irish Prison Service works closely with an Garda Síochána and the Probation Service in respect of the monitoring, supervision and compliance of those on temporary release.
The Irish Prison Service Persons provides a service to victims, details of that service are available on its website (www.irishprisons.ie). Persons who register their details with the Victim Liaison Officer are informed of significant developments in relation to the case. It should be noted that victims must register to 'opt-in' to avail of the service.
