Finian McGrath
Ceist:529 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has examined the model of releasing non-violent prisoners under a community supervision programme. [21959/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 1 May 2012
Ceisteanna (453)
Freagraí scríofa
I understand the Deputy is referring to the introduction of a pilot project, the Community Return scheme, in October, 2011 under which offenders who pose no threat to the community are offered earned early temporary release with supervised community service. The pilot project was introduced in line with the recommendations of the Thornton Hall Project Review Group and is being overseen by a steering group comprising representatives of my Department, the Irish Prison Service and Probation Service. The scheme is applicable to suitably assessed prisoners who are serving sentences of more than one and less than eight years. Those participating are granted renewable temporary release having served at, or after, the 50% stage of their sentence with a condition of their release to undertake supervised community service. As of 30 April, 2012, a total of 161 prisoners have been released under the scheme.
As announced yesterday with the launch of its new three year strategic plan, the Irish Prison Service will begin the national roll out of the Community Return Programme in conjunction with the Probation Service. Under this strategy, the Prison Service intends to increase the number of prisoners benefitting from this structured form of release over the course of the next three years by working towards the placement of 400 prisoners per annum serving sentences of one to eight years. It is envisaged that there would be no more than 150 prisoners participating in this scheme at any one time and all prisoners will be carefully assessed before being approved for the scheme.
This is but one element of a comprehensive strategy which provides for a structured form of release leading to improved resettlement and reintegration opportunities for prisoners along with providing for work to the benefit of communities. However, as I said yesterday "In all things balance is critically important and I emphasise the fact that in all of this the most vital strategic target is the enhancement of public safety. As a key element of the Criminal Justice System, the Irish Prison Service, along with An Garda Síochána and the Courts, has a critical role to play in this regard and it is vitally important that, when what some commentators have described as the inevitable tension between care and custody becomes an issue, we must never lose sight of the need to put public safety and the integrity of the Criminal Justice System to the forefront".