176 prisoners released for Christmas

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has said 176 prisoners will be granted varying periods of temporary release this Christmas.

This figure represents approximately 4% of the prisoner population. The numbers released for Christmas in 2006, 2007 and 2008 were 238, 138 and 107 respectively.

Of the prisoners being released this year, about 53% are prisoners serving their sentences in low-security institutions: the Training Unit Semi-Open Prison; Loughan House and Shelton Abbey open centres.

The periods of release vary from a few hours up to seven nights.