§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many prisoners have been released to date under the Good Friday Agreement and how many who could be eligible for release under the Agreement remain in custody; and whether they will indicate, in respect of each group, the number convicted of murder, the number not convicted of murder but sentenced to life imprisonment and the number whose offences were committed in England. [HL1485]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Dubs)248 prisoners have to date been released under the Good Friday Agreement.
A further 200 prisoners who could be or have been deemed by the Commissioners to be eligible for release remain in custody.
Of the 248 prisoners released, 78 were convicted of murder, 76 received life sentences and 2 were detained at the Secretary of State's pleasure, none were held solely on discretionary life sentences, and 8 were serving sentences for offences which they had committed in England.
Of the 200 prisoners who remain in custody and who could be or have been deemed by the Commissioners to be eligible for release, 70 were convicted of murder, 68 received life sentences and 2 are detained at the Secretary of State's pleasure, none are held solely on discretionary life sentences, and 26 are serving sentences for offences which they had committed in England.
136WA
§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
In what circumstances those prisoners released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement would be liable to recall to prison to serve the remainder of their sentences. [HL1486]
§ Lord DubsThe circumstances in which a prisoner would be liable to recall are set out in Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act.
The Secretary of State may suspend a licence under Section 4 or 6 of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 if she believes the person concerned has broken or is likely to break one of the conditions of his licence. A person's licence is subject only to the conditions: that he does not support a specified organisation (within the meaning of Section 3 of the Act); that he does not become concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland; and in the case of a life sentence prisoner, that he does not become a danger to the public.
Where a person's licence is suspended he shall be detained in pursuance of his sentence and, if at large, shall be taken to be unlawfully at large, and the Commissioners shall consider his case.
On consideration of a person's case, if the Commissioners think he has not broken and is not likely to break a condition imposed by this section, they shall confirm his licence, otherwise they shall revoke his licence.