asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners serving life sentences for (a) capital offences and (b) non-capital offences who were released in each of the years 1984 to 1987 inclusive; the length of sentence served in each case; the number currently serving similar sentences in (i) Portlaoise and (ii) other prisons; the length of sentence already served in each case; if any have been given release dates; how often their sentences are reviewed; the policy regarding such reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Life Sentence Prisoners.
116.
The statistical information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following statement. The mandatory sentence for capital murder is death and, accordingly, there are no prisoners serving life sentences for capital offences. I take it the Deputy has in mind offenders who were sentenced to death and subsequently had their sentences commuted to 40 years imprisonment. Details in relation to this group of offenders are shown separately in the statement.
It is not the practice to give release dates to offenders significantly in advance of actual release.
The cases of offenders serving life sentences are kept under review in the context of factors such as the circumstances of the offence, length of sentence served, behaviour while in custody and the previous record of the offender. An overriding concern in assessing suitability for release must be the risk to the community which could be posed by a release. In suitable cases proposals — which can include occasional periods of temporary release — are drawn up with the aim of final release.
The Deputy will appreciate that each case must be considered on its merits and that the length of sentence served can vary significantly from case to case. The details given in respect of offenders serving life sentences at present include a number of offenders where successive attempts to reintegrate them into the community have failed.
1. Offenders serving life sentences released during 1984-1987
(a)No offenders serving life sentences at Portlaoise were released during the period referred to by the Deputy.
(b)Other prisons:
|
Year released |
Length of sentence served |
|
1984 |
8 years 10 months |
|
1985 |
9 years |
|
7 years 1 month |
|
|
10 years 1 month |
|
|
1986 |
10 years 9 months |
|
10 years 9 months |
|
|
9 years 1 month |
|
|
18 years |
|
|
1987 |
14 years |
2. Length of sentence served by offenders serving life sentences at present
(a) Portlaoise:
8 years 11 months
2 years 10 months
13 years 7 months
13 years 7 months
8 years 2 months
13 years 7 months
5 years 3 months
4 years 1 month
10 years 2 months
6 years 3 months
8 years
(b) Other prisons:
23 years 2 months
5 years 3 months
5 years 3 months
3 years 6 months
3 years 2 months
3 years 1 month
5 years 3 months
7 years 1 month
11 years 7 months
3 years 2 months
3 years 7 months
3 years 7 months
1 year 2 months
4 years 8 months
5 years 8 months
8 months
1 year 6 months
3 months
4 years 4 months
9 years 9 months
5 years 11 months
23 years 6 months
2 years 11 months
9 years 9 months
9 years 11 months
9 years 1 month
8 years
7 years 1 month
6 years 8 months
5 years 10 months
5 years 6 months
5 years 3 months
5 years
4 years 11 months
4 years 10 months
3 years 2 months
3 years 6 months
2 years 9 months
3 years
2 years 11 months
2 years 11 months
1 year 11 months
1 year 9 months
1 year 9 months
1 year 7 months
1 year 1 month
11 months
11 months
1 week
11 years 7 months
6 years 11 months
5 years 6 months
4 years 2 months
3 years 11 months
3 years 3 months
3 years 1 month
2 years 7 months
2 years 3 months
7 years 4 months
3. Length of sentence served by offenders serving 40 year sentences (commuted from death)
2 years 1 month
2 years 10 months
2 years 10 months
2 years 10 months
2 years 1 month
7 years 2 months
7 years 2 months
7 years 2 months
6 years 10 months
All these offenders are in Portlaoise Prison.
Note:
The figures given for those released do not include offenders given temporary release but who are now back in custody.