asked the Minister for Justice arising out of his reply to parliamentary question No. 592 of 7 November 1984, if he will say when the requested information will be available.
Written Answers. - Penal Servitude.
579.
Limerick East): The information requested by the Deputy in his earlier parliamentary question has now come to hand. The details are as follows:
A total of 91 offenders have been sentenced to penal servitude for life since 1964. Six offenders were discharged from court following appeals or re trials. Three offenders were discharged by the Minister of the day following recommendations from medical officers. Two of these died very soon after release. One offender escaped from Portlaoise prison in 1974 and he is now in custody outside the jurisdiction.
Twenty-nine offenders are on full temporary release under the supervision of the Probation and Welfare Service. The length of time served by these offenders was as follows:
Eight from 5 to 6 years; Six from 6 to 7 years; Five from 7 to 8 years; Four from 8 to 9 years; One from 9 to 10 years; Two from 10 to 11 years; Three from 11 to 12 years.
Two of this group failed to keep the conditions of their temporary release and are regarded as being illegally at large. They are believed to be residing outside the jurisdiction.
Fifty-two offenders are at present serving sentences of penal servitude for life. The length of time served to date by these offenders is as follows:
Sixteen under 2 years; Eight from 2 to 3 years; Three from 3 to 4 years; Two from 4 to 5 years; Two from 5 to 6 years; Five from 6 to 7 years; Five from 7 to 8 years; One from 8 to 9 years; Two from 9 to 10 years; Four from 10 to 11 years; One from 13 to 14 years; One from 16 to 17 years. (This offender was on temporary release for some years but was recommitted some months ago because of a serious breach of the conditions of his temporary release).
Two from 20 to 21 years. (One of these offenders has been allowed temporary release on several occasions but has been recommitted on each occasion following breaches of conditions of temporary release. The other has had periods of temporary release and is on a programme designed to prepare him for reintroduction into the community).