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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 4

Written Answers. - Prison Committals.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

219 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average number of male and female persons in prison in each of the past five years; the average sentences being served; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2847/00]

Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to enable the precise information sought by the Deputy to be readily available. The following table, however, outlines daily average prisoner population for each of the years 1994 to 1998.

Year

Daily Average Population

1994

2,123

1995

2,109

1996

2,197

1997

2,424

1998

2,567

While these figures are not broken down by gender, females constitute approximately 3% of the prison population.
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the average sentence being served is not available. At present the compilation and analysis of statistics must be done manually pending the introduction of a £6 million information technology programme for the Prisons Service. This programme is well advanced and later this year I expect that a comprehensive prisoners records database will be deployed throughout the Prisons Service. This programme will address the lack of accessible information about prisoners, provide management with necessary information and enable the automation of many existing functions. Information will be more easily accessible once this new system is in operation.
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