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Prison Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021

Thursday, 8 July 2021

Ceisteanna (318)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners who have absconded while on early release, temporary release, supervised and unsupervised, in each of the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37102/21]

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Freagraí scríofa

The figures requested by the Deputy were not readily available within the timeframe permitted.

The information sought is currently being collated and verified by officials within in the Irish Prison Service and when this data is to hand I will be in contact directly with the Deputy.

The following reply was received on 24 June 2022.

UAL* TYPE

BREAKDOWN

Year 2016

Year 2017

Year 2018

Year 2019

Year 2020

Year 2021

Total

Total Number UAL

404

285

321

486

127

162

1,785

Of Which

UAL BREACH OF TR

·Returned to Custody

235

149

197

258

49

51

939

UAL BREACH OF TR

·Not returned to Custody -** Given TR from UAL

150

114

100

178

58

80

680

UAL BREACH OF TR

·Remaining UAL on 31December 2022

19

22

24

50

20

31

166

Total Prisoners Granted Temporary Release

9,857

4,519

2,994

3,730

2,785

2,493

26,378

*UAL – Unlawfully at large. This can arise for a large number of reasons including, failure to sign on due to communication issues, failure to sign on due to medical or family reasons or due to clerical/administration errors. On each occasion, a new decision would be required from the Irish Prison Service, who examine the reasons for the prisoner going unlawfully at large and if they are satisfied that there is no risk to public safety, they could approve another period of temporary release.

** Please Note Individuals did not necessarily return to custody in the same year that they went UAL.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question 318 for written reply on 8 July 2021 requesting
the number of prisoners who have absconded while on early release, temporary release, supervised and unsupervised in each of the past five years to date. The information requested was not readily available at that time and I undertook to revert directly to you as soon as possible with the relevant information. I apologise for the delay in responding to you.
I can advise that my officials in the Irish Prison Service have now collated and reviewed the information which is set out below.
The table attached illustrates the number of prisoners who have absconded while on early release, temporary release, supervised and unsupervised from 2016 to 2021.
I trust this information is of assistance and again my apologies for the delay in getting this information to you.
Question No. 319 answered with Question No. 310.
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