|
Prisoners at large spark row A MAJOR political row
has broken out over the number of prisoners unlawfully at large.
Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan said escaped prisoners were
mocking the justice system and called for electronic tagging to be used
for temporary release.
His comments followed revelations that 272 prisoners in Ireland were officially
listed as missing or escaped.
But Justice Minister Brian Lenihan countered that the number covered a
16-year timespan from 1992 to this year — when there had been a
total of 150,000 people sent to jail.
A breakdown by the Department of Justice of those unlawfully at large
showed that half of them had committed a relatively minor breach of the
law by failing to sign on for a renewal of temporary release at the correct
time or not residing at a particular location.
Another 28 per cent absconded from an open centre or on an accompanied
outing while 14 per cent failed to return from compassionate release.
Just 1 per cent escaped from jail or from a prison escort.
But Mr Flanagan said he was shocked to discover so many at large. |
