Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:237 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of prisoners currently on day or other temporary release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27426/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 3 November 2004
Ceisteanna (181)
Freagraí scríofa
Temporary release arrangements are in effect our system of parole, which is a feature of prison systems world-wide, and parole is an important vehicle for reintegrating an offender into the community in a planned way. While due regard must be had to any risk which a particular release might pose, the generally accepted view is that the risk to the community would be even greater if, in certain cases, attempts at planned reintegration of offenders were not made, since they must return to the community anyway on the completion of their sentence.
Prisoners are considered for temporary release in certain circumstances, for example, release under the direct supervision of the probation and welfare service, to employment or training programmes, on compassionate release because of ill health or family-related circumstances, or for reintegration purposes because they are nearing the end of their sentence. Figures for 1 November 2004 indicate that there were 299 persons on temporary release, a number which represents about 8% of the total prison population. That compares with figures in the region of 550 persons on temporary release — about 20% of the prison population — in the mid 1990s.