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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1982

Vol. 336 No. 5

Written Answers. - Parole and Sentences Review Procedures.

954.

asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details in relation to the procedures for (a) parole and temporary or early release and (b) for reviewing procedures for long sentences, particularly in relation to prisoners serving life sentences; the remission to which they are entitled; and the length of time in prison after which such a prisoner can apply for parole.

957.

asked the Minister for Justice by whom decisions regarding parole etc. are made.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 954 and 957 together.

Prisoners or persons in detention serving sentences of one month or more may earn remission of up to one quarter of sentence by industry and good conduct.

Under section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1960 prisoners or persons in detention may be given what is called temporary release. A prisoner or detainee may apply for temporary release at any time. The general policy is that the case of a prisoner serving a sentence of more than four months is reviewed as a matter of course on a regular, multi-disciplinary, basis whether or not he or she asks for early release.

I accept responsibility for the release of all persons under the section quoted above. I am satisfied that each case is considered carefully having regard to all the relevant factors including the wellbeing of the offender and his family and the safety of the public. There has been attempted intimidation of officers in my Department by criminals and their associates and I am not prepared to put officers at risk by giving details which would tend to identify officers working in this area.

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