THE NUMBER of prisoners who will be granted temporary release over the Christmas period is 31 fewer than last year.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said yesterday that 107 prisoners would be granted temporary release under the Criminal Justice Act 1960, compared to 138 last Christmas. The number of prisoners being given temporary release was equivalent to 2.5 per cent of the total prisoner population, said Mr Ahern.
The prisoners being released are generally nearing the end of their sentences and are not considered to be a risk to the public.
The periods of release vary from a few hours up to seven nights.
Sometimes prisoners let out for a few hours must be accompanied by another responsible person.
Among those being released for a number of hours on Christmas Day is the convicted murderer Malcolm McArthur.
He has also been released for Christmas in the past.
All releases are subject to stringent conditions, which in the vast majority of cases includes a requirement to report to his or her local Garda station.
Any offender who breaks these conditions may be arrested and returned immediately to prison by the Garda.
Separately, the Prison Service of Northern Ireland has granted 72 prisoners temporary release for varying periods from yesterday until January 2nd, 2009, compared to 82 last year.
Applications from 98 prisoners were refused, the prison service said.
