1,000 prisoners on temporary release from jails

ALMOST 1,000 convicted criminals in Ireland are on temporary release, as the overcrowding crisis in the prison service worsens.

The number on release, which is the highest ever total amount, represents almost one fifth of all prisoners.

According to figures released by the Department of Justice, there are currently 933 prisoners on temporary release. This represents 17.8% of the total number of prisoners in the system on that day.