asked the Minister for Justice if he will release any prisoners on parole for Christmas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Parole System.
39.
There is no provision in our law for the release of prisoners on parole. There is statutory provision for temporary release under prescribed conditions, a breach of which renders the person concerned liable to be returned to prison forthwith. There is, also, statutory provision for full remission of the unexpired portions of prison sentences.
I shall proceed shortly to consider the deserving cases in which temporary release and full release may be granted in the traditional Christmas manner.
40.
asked the Minister for Justice if it is his intention to set up a board comprised of suitable persons who are not members of the Prison Service to help in the rehabilitation of prisoners under the parole system; and, if so, when he envisages the formation of such a board.
I have had under consideration for some time the question of the appointment of an aftercare committee to assist prisoners in obtaining employment and accommodation on discharge from prison.
I am glad to say that I have received a number of acceptances and I hope to be in a position shortly to appoint a committee.
41.
asked the Minister for Justice (a) the number of full-time officers employed on the prisoner parole and rehabilitation system, (b) the total number of prisoners rehabilitated under this system since its inception, and (c) the total number of persons who had to be withdrawn from the system because of unsuitability.
We have no system known as a prisoner parole and rehabilitation system but if the Deputy has in mind the system of temporary release authorised by the Criminal Justice Act, 1960 with which a system of pre-release corrective training is associated in Mountjoy Prison, I think that the following information may be what he has in mind.
There are two prison welfare officers attached to Mountjoy Prison whose particular job it is to look after the welfare of prisoners, keep them in touch with their families, find jobs for them and help their rehabilitation generally.
There are four officers assigned exclusively to the charge of selected prisoners who are given educational, trades or therapeutic training to fit them for discharge. In addition, the Governor, Deputy Governor and six other officers devote a good deal of their time to supervising, lecturing, instructing and advising prisoners in the corrective training division.
Since 1st April 1963, 529 prisoners were admitted to the corrective training division, 31 were subsequently withdrawn owing to unsuitability and after discharge from prison 55 were recommitted. 98 prisoners were granted temporary release on being placed in employment by the prison staff and none of them has come under unfavourable notice since.
I might add that the penal reform system in St. Patrick's Institution which deals with the 16 to 21 age group includes educational and trades training in which all the inmates participate, as far as their capacities allow. Since April 1963, 51 were released temporarily for employment and five were subsequently recommitted.
Would the Minister state if this system is confined to male prisoners.
Yes. In practice it is, but there is no rule to that effect.
Would the Minister consider extending it to female prisoners?
Yes. I will look into that, but there are very few female prisoners.
But those there are would be deserving of consideration.
I shall look into it.