I wish to inform Deputy that the average age of persons committed to prison in 2016 for a life sentence of imprisonment starting in 2016 is 29 years. The average age of prisoners serving a life sentence released into the community in 2016 on licence under the supervision of the Probation Service is 54.5 years.
The IPS works in close partnership with the Probation Service and An Garda Síochána in respect of the management of life sentenced prisoners who are living in the community. A range of temporary release conditions are applied which, if not adhered to, may result in the prisoner being returned to custody.