The number of Irish prisoners getting temporary release this Christmas is almost double the number from last year, it has emerged.
A total of 129 prisoners will get out for Christmas in 2022 under the 1960 Criminal Justice Act, while 70 got out last year.
The Prison Service said they are being released after an evaluation of “compassionate and humane considerations”.
Some will get out for a few hours on Christmas Day – but some will be freed back into the community for up to a week.
A spokesperson added that this year’s total is more than the combined number of 107 prisoners who were released over 2020 and 2021.
She said the 37 releases in 2020 and last year’s 70 were partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before the virus affected prisons across Ireland, some 137 prisoners were released in 2018 and 113 got out temporarily in 2019.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Prison Service told the public that its safety is the “overriding concern” when agreeing to release prisoners.
The spokesperson said: “Some 129 prisoners will be granted varying periods of temporary release this Christmas under the Criminal Justice Act 1960.
“This figure represents 3% of the overall prisoner population.
“The corresponding numbers released for Christmas in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were 137, 113, 37 and 70, respectively.
“The previous two years saw a decrease in numbers due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
She added: “Many of the prisoners being released are nearing the end of their sentences.
“The overriding concern when considering the applications is the safety of the public.
“In addition to compassionate and humane considerations, other criteria [are] taken into account.
“These include the nature and gravity of the offence, length of sentence served to date, prior record on temporary release, behaviour while in custody and previous criminal history.
“The periods of release vary from a few hours up to seven nights.
“All releases are subject to stringent conditions.
“Any offender who breaks these conditions may be arrested and returned immediately to prison by gardai.
“The sensitivities of victims are an issue that has also been taken into account. Additional specific conditions will also apply in relation to victim cases.
“Furthermore, 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 Prison Service explained the reasons why only 107 prisoners were released over 2020 and 2021.
A spokesperson said: “The numbers approved for temporary release for Christmas 2020 and 2021 were greatly reduced in comparison to previous years.
“This was arising from a number of factors, including a reduced number in custody, leading to a reduced pool of eligible prisoners.
“Also increased use of structured temporary release programmes including Community Return and Community Support Schemes during the year.
“And reduced numbers of applications as some prisoners not wishing to avail of Christmas temporary release due to the risk of contracting Covid-19 whilst in the community.”
