Peadar Tóibín
Question:430. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons released from prison in the State in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021. [49377/21]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2021
430. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons released from prison in the State in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021. [49377/21]
View answer431. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons granted temporary release from prison in the State in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021. [49378/21]
View answer432. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if persons were released from prison early for purposes of public health control at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland. [49379/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 430, 431 and 432 together.
I can advise the Deputy that the number of prisoners released from prison for the past ten years, up to and including 30 September 2021, is set out in the following table.
Year |
Persons released |
2021 (up to and including 30 September) |
4,058 |
2020 |
5,776 |
2019 |
7,204 |
2018 |
6,494 |
2017 |
7,810 |
2016 |
12,981 |
2015 |
14,718 |
2014 |
14,119 |
2013 |
13,577 |
2012 |
14,415 |
2011 |
14,388 |
The number of prisoners granted temporary release for the past ten years and up to and including 30 September 2021 is set out in the following table.
The figures outlined in this table represent prisoners who were granted either short periods of temporary release, overnight periods of temporary release, full temporary release or reviewable temporary release.
Year |
Persons granted temporary release |
2021 (up to and including 30 September) |
1,775 |
2020 |
2,785 |
2019 |
3,730 |
2018 |
2,994 |
2017 |
4,519 |
2016 |
9,857 |
2015 |
11,305 |
2014 |
11,392 |
2013 |
11,125 |
2012 |
11,199 |
2011 |
10,511 |
Each application for temporary release of any nature is considered on its individual merits and a number of factors are taken into account when making a decision, including the nature of the offence and whether the person poses a threat to public safety.
The Prison Service publishes figures in relation to the number of prisoners currently on temporary release on their website www.irishprisons.ie on a daily basis.