Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2017
90. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners who were granted temporary release or community return in the first six weeks of their sentence in each of the years 2011 to 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10660/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the statistics being sought are not readily available. The information is currently being collated and I will respond to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A:
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 90 for answer on 01 March 2017, in which you requested the number of prisoners that were granted temporary release or community return in the first six weeks of their serving their sentence in each of the years 2011 to 2016.
As the Deputy will recall, the information he requested could not be obtained in the time available, and I undertook to contact him again when this information was to hand.
I can inform the Deputy that Community Return is applicable for persons serving 1 to 8 years. They can qualify for temporary release at the half way stage of their sentence. The earliest possible eligibility is therefore after 6 months in custody (50% of 1 year). No persons are eligible after only six weeks.
I can further inform the Deputy the number of prisoners that were granted temporary release in the first six weeks of their serving their sentence in Year 2011 is not readily available and would require a manual examination of records. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort and can not be justified in current circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources.
The figures for 2016 are currently being compiled and will be made available at the publication of the Irish Prison Service 2016 Annual Report.
The Irish Prison Service introduced a new Prisoner Information Management System (PIMS) on 03 March, 2012 and it is therefore possible to provide the information requested from Year 2012 to Year 2015.
In 2015, the number of prisoners that were granted temporary release in the first six weeks of their serving their sentence was 8,418.
In 2014, the number of prisoners that were granted temporary release in the first six weeks of their serving their sentence was 8,148.
In 2013, the number of prisoners that were granted temporary release in the first six weeks of their serving their sentence was 7,813.
In 2012, the number of prisoners that were granted temporary release in the first six weeks of their serving their sentence was 7,714.
The Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003 provides that sentenced prisoners may be approved temporary release whether it be for a few hours or a more extended period. The Act sets out the circumstances when temporary release may be provided and what matters must be taken into account.
Candidates for temporary release are identified by a number of different means but primarily on the recommendation of the Prison Governor or the therapeutic services in the prisons. The prisoner, their family or their legal representative can also apply for consideration of such a concession. Recommendations are also made to me in relation to long term sentence prisoners by the Parole Board. It is very important to note that it does not necessarily follow that a prisoner will receive temporary release even if the recommendation is to that effect. Before a final determination a number of factors may be taken into account including:
- the nature and gravity of the offence to which the sentence being served by the person relates
- the sentence concerned and any recommendation made by the Court in relation to the sentence imposed
- the period of the sentence served by the person
- the potential threat to the safety and security of the public should the person be released
- the person's previous criminal record
- the risk of the person failing to return to prison at the expiration of the period of temporary release
- the conduct of the person while in custody or while previously on temporary release
- any report or recommendation made by the Governor, the Garda Síochána, a Probation & Welfare Officer, or any other person whom the Minister considers may be of assistance in coming to a decision as to whether to grant temporary release
- the risk that the person might commit an offence during any period of temporary release
- the risk of the person failing to comply with any of the conditions of temporary release
- the likelihood that a period of temporary release might accelerate the person's reintegration into society or improve his prospects of obtaining employment
Temporary release assists in gradually preparing suitable offenders for release and in administering short sentences, and is an incentive to prisoners. It is an important vehicle for re-integrating an offender into the community in a planned way. The generally accepted view is that the risk to the community is reduced by planned re-integration of offenders compared with their return to the community on the completion of their full sentence. Each application for temporary release for whatever reason, including those referred to in your question, is examined on its own merits and the safety of the public is paramount when decisions are made.
In addition, all releases are subject to conditions, which in the vast majority of cases include a requirement to report on a daily basis to the offender's Garda Station. Of course, any offender who breaches his or her conditions may be arrested and returned to prison immediately by the Gardaí or maybe refused another period of reviewable temporary release.
I hope this information is of assistance.
