Prisoners granted up to 7 nights of freedom

A TOTAL of 113 prisoners are being given temporary release over Christmas, with some inmates being granted up to seven nights at home with their families.

The percentage of those in custody getting temporary release over the festive season represents about 3% of the prisoner population, and marks a decrease on the previous three years.

The Irish Prison Service said both the ‘sensitivities of victims’ and ‘safety of the public’ had been paramount in deciding which inmates would be granted temporary release over the Christmas period.

The periods of release this year range from just a few hours to seven nights.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said: ‘Many of the prisoners being released are nearing the end of their sentences and the overriding concern when considering the applications is the safety of the public.

‘In addition to compassionate and humane considerations, other criteria taken into account include the nature and gravity of the offence, length of the sentence served to date, prior record on temporary release, behaviour while in custody and previous criminal history.’

The Irish Prison Service warned that all releases remained subject to strict conditions, adding that any offender who breaks these conditions would be re-arrested and immediately returned to prison.

The spokesman said: ‘The sensitivities of victims have also been taken into account in detailed submissions to the Minister [for Justice] by the prison management who deal with these offenders day in and day out. In certain cases additional, specific conditions will apply in relation to cases with significant victim impact.

‘All registered victims with the Irish Prison Service victim liaison service will be informed in the cases where prisoners are receiving Christmas temporary release.’

The number of inmates out for Christmas has decreased from last year, when 137 were granted release.

‘Sensitivities of victims taken into account’