Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 3

Written Answers. - Prisoner Releases.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

347 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners who have been released in the latest period for which statistics are available before serving their full term; and the present policy in relation to such releases. [28599/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Statistics are not maintained in such a way as to enable the precise information sought by the Deputy to be readily available. At present, the compilation and analysis of statistics must be done manually as computerised systems are still in the course of being installed in many prisons. This is an extremely time-consuming and staff-intensive process and it has not been possible to release staff for this work.

A new £6 million information technology programme for the Prisons Service is well advanced. As part of the programme a comprehensive prisoner records database is in the process of being deployed across the Prison 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.

Since I took office as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I have presided over an unprecedented investment in our prison infrastructure. In all, over 1,200 additional prison spaces have been provided with a further 700 closed spaces on the way.

The overall percentage of sentenced prisoners on temporary release has, as a result of this Government's building programme to date, been reduced from 19% in 1997 to a current figure of about 7%. It is important to bear in mind also that almost all prisoners on early release at present are on structured programmes, in many cases under the direct supervision of the probation and welfare service. Those not on structured programmes have been temporarily released for valid compassionate reasons, ill health or family related circumstances.

We now have a situation where for the first time in 25 years we can accommodate all those sentenced by the courts for the full duration of their sentences. The impact of this cut in unplanned temporary releases on the level of indictable crime in this jurisdiction is clear and irrefutable. The whole architecture of community sanctions depends on the custodial places being available to ensure that the sanction of last resort can be applied to offenders if they do not avail of the non-custodial options open to them.