Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2017
112. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average length of time life sentence prisoners served in prison prior to their release in 2016; the total number of life sentence prisoners in custody; the total number of life sentence prisoners on release in the community at the end of 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that a total of 7 life sentenced prisoners were released into the community in 2016. The average length of sentence served in custody by these seven prisoners prior to release was approximately 22 years.
On 31 December 2016 there were 352 prisoners in custody serving life sentences. There were a further 83 prisoners serving life sentences in the community on reviewable temporary release under the supervision of the Probation Service.
Life sentenced prisoners who are released into the community continue to serve their sentences and are subject to a number of stringent conditions. While in the community, a life sentenced prisoner will be on reviewable temporary release under the supervision of the Probation Service.
