Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2019
144. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide data on prison sentences and the length of sentences over the past 20 years; the data or analysis done on the different categories of sentences served and statistics on early releases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11272/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that information in relation to data on prison sentences and length of sentences since 2007 is available on the the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie. The information can be found in the Information Centre – under Statistics & Information. Statistics available include monthly information note statistics, snapshot statistics and yearly statistics on the web page.
Data relating to prison sentences and length of sentences prior to 2007 are contained in the Annual Reports of the Irish Prison Service which are only available in hard copy. The data is provided in the attached documents.
I am further advised by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that statistics in relation to early releases is not recorded in the compilation of annual statistics by the Irish Prison Service. However, since 2015 the number of prisoners on temporary release are recorded, this information is available on the Irish Prison Service website www.irishprisons.ie. The information can be found in the Information Centre – under Statistics & Information - daily prisoner population.
