John Gormley
Ceist:513 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of politically motivated prisoners released on temporary release of sentence scheme in each of the years from 1994 to 1998. [7604/99]
Written Answers. - Prisoner Releases.
John Gormley
Ceist:514 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Jus Equality and Law Reform Reform the number of politically motivated prisoners released on full temporary release of sentence in each of the years from 1994 to 1998. [7605/99]
John Gormley
Ceist:515 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of politically motivated prisoners released on remission of sentence in each of the years from 1994 to 1998. [7606/99]
John Gormley
Ceist:516 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of politically motivated prisoners released on completion of sentence in each of the years from 1994 to 1998. [7607/99]
John Gormley
Ceist:517 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of politically motivated prisoners released in each of the years from 1994 to 1998; and the number he anticipates will be released each year over the next five years. [7608/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 513 to 517, inclusive, together.
The following table gives details of the number of subversive prisoners released on full or renewable temporary release, the number released on remission of sentence and the number released for each of the years 1994 to 1998.
|
Year |
No. released on full or renewable temporary release (1) |
No. released on remission of sentence (2) |
No. released by Order of Government (3) |
|
1994 |
3 |
4 |
Nil |
|
1995 |
4 |
Nil |
36 |
|
1996 |
4 |
3 |
Nil |
|
1997 |
3 |
5 |
16 |
|
1998 |
13 |
3 |
20 |
1. This includes prisoners released early on health grounds.
2. All prisoners are entitled to standard remission of 25 per cent. Therefore the number released on remission of sentence is the same as that released on completion of sentence.
3. Section 33(1) and (2) of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 gives the Government power to release any person convicted by a Special Criminal Court and to impose conditions on that release.
A proportion of subversive prisoners were also granted short-term temporary release under conditions using the Minister's powers under the Criminal Justice Act, 1960. Before granting temporary release consideration is given to various factors including the nature and seriousness of the offence, the potential threat to the community, the length of sentence served and remaining and if there are any compassionate grounds which merit special consideration.
The number of subversive prisoners currently serving sentences and due for release with standard remission over the next five years is detailed in the following table:
|
Year |
No. due for Release |
|
1999 |
6 |
|
2000 |
6 |
|
2001 |
1 |
|
2002 |
0 |
|
2003 |
4 |
In addition, the Government has committed itself, under the multiparty Agreement, to put in place mechanisms to provide for an accelerated programme for the release of prisoners, including repatriated prisoners, who qualify for such a programme under the terms of the Agreement. Prisoners affiliated to organisations which have not established or are not maintaining a complete and unequivocal ceasefire will not benefit from these arrangements. Part of the mechanism in place under the Agreement is the procedure laid down in the Criminal Justice (Release of Prisoners) Act, 1998 and all proposed releases under the Agreement must go through that procedure. In those circumstances it is not possible to indicate how many more prisoners will benefit from early release under the terms of the Agreement.