Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Nov 1978

Vol. 309 No. 10

Written Answers. - Serving of Life Sentences.

312.

Mr. Bruton

asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners serving life sentences now; the date on which each was sentenced; the average length of sentence served; and the criteria and procedures whereby life sentences may be terminated.

Minister for Justice (Mr. G. Collins)

(1) There are 35 persons in custody serving life sentences. The information sought about them is as follows:

Date Sentenced	Length of time served
20 July 1964	14 years	4 months
9 November 1964	14 years
2 May 1968	10 years	6 months
19 February 1971	7 years	9 months
1 February 1972	6 years	10 months
1 May 1972	6 years	7 months
28 July 1972	6 years	4 months
26 June 1973	5 years	5 months
27 November 1973	5 years
6 December 1973	5 years
6 December 1973	5 years
30 April 1974	4 years	7 months
7 June 1974	4 years	6 months
7 June 1974	4 years	6 months
7 June 1974	4 years	6 months
7 June 1974	4 years	6 months
18 June 1974	4 years	5 months
24 June 1974	4 years	5 months
24 June 1974	4 years	5 months
10 July 1974	4 years	4 months
25 October 1974	4 years	1 months
5 May 1975	3 years	6 months
25 June 1975	3 years	3 months
22 August 1975	3 years	3 months
13 June 1976	2 years	5 months
9 December 1976	1 year	11 months
9 December 1976	1 year	11 months
9 May 1977	1 year	6 months
8 November 1977	1 year
8 November 1977	1 year
14 November 1977	1 year
9 February 1978		9 months
14 April 1978		7 months
14 April 1978		7 months
26 April 1978		7 months

The average length of periods listed above is 4.2 years.

(2) The practice is to release a person serving a life sentence after a number of years, which varies according to the circumstances. Among the factors taken into account in determining the date of release are the circumstances of the offence and the general character and stability of the offender. The progress of all prisoners serving life or other long-term sentences is monitored. Regular review meetings are held in the relevant institutions at which the cases of such prisoners are discussed. These discussions are attended by custodial and Department staff as well as by welfare, medical and psychiatric personnel. While there are a small number of prisoners whose detention for a longer than average period appears to be essential in the public interest, it is generally found possible to begin a long-term, phased programme for the offender's release from custody after he has served about five years. The final phasing-out is achieved by the system of temporary releases—daily and full-time—under the Criminal Justice Act, 1960 (No. 27 of 1960).