Far fewer prisoners are to avail of temporary release for Christmas this year, with concern over the risk of contracting Covid-19 whilst in the community among a number of factors for the reduced number.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said 36 prisoners will be granted varying period of temporary release over the festive season, under the Criminal Justice Act.
The figure is greatly reduced on the number over the past three years, which stood at 142 in 2017, 137 in 2018, and 113 prisoners last year.
The periods of release will vary from a few hours, up to as much as six nights. All of those out on release are subject to "stringent conditions", with any offender who breaches them subject to arrest and an immediate return to prison.