Question
85. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners serving a life sentence, by prison; the number of life sentence prisoners who were released from prison each year since 2012 and the length of their sentences served; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15846/17]
Answer
Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that at present there are 352 Life Sentenced Prisoners in custody. Table 1 below gives the number of prisoners broken down by prison and gender on the 28th February 2017.
| Establishment | Female | Male | Total |
| Arbour Hill Prison |  |
39 | 39 |
| Castlerea Prison | |
16 | 16 |
| Cloverhill Prison | |
3 | 3 |
| Cork Prison | |
15 | 15 |
| Limerick Prison (Female) | 1 | |
1 |
| Limerick Prison (Male) | |
11 | 11 |
| Loughan House | |
12 | 12 |
| Midlands Prison | |
79 | 79 |
| Mountjoy Prison (Female) | 9 | |
9 |
| Mountjoy Prison (Male) | |
41 | 41 |
| Portlaoise Prison | |
24 | 24 |
| Shelton Abbey | |
16 | 16 |
| Training Unit | |
15 | 15 |
| Wheatfield Place of Detention | |
71 | 71 |
| Total | 10 | 342 | 352 |
Life sentenced prisoners who are released into the community continue to serve their sentences and are subject to a number of stringent conditions. Table 2 below gives an annual breakdown from 2012 - 2016 (inclusive) the number of prisoners granted temporary release in each year and the average length of sentence served prior to being granted temporary release.
| Year of Reviewable Temporary Release | Prisoners on Reviewable Temporary Release | Approximate Average Length of Time Served Prior to Reviewable Temporary Release |
| 2016 | 7 | 22 Years |
| 2015 | 6 | 17 Years 6 Months |
| 2014 | 4 | 20 Years |
| 2013 | 4 | 17 Years 6 Months |
| 2012 | 4 | 22 Years |