§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to implement the standard Christmas parole scheme for prisoners in Northern Ireland, during Christmas 1976; and if he will make a statement regarding its operation in previous years and the criteria used in deciding who is eligible.
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§ Mr. ConcannonActive consideration is being given to the grant of the customary home leave for sentenced prisoners this Christmas. The Christmas parole scheme has operated satisfactorily in Northern Ireland for many years. During the past three years, for example, a total of 424 prisoners were granted Christmas leave all of whom honoured their parole.
If operated again this year, the scheme will only apply to those prisoners, individually considered suitable by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, who (a) have not served a previous prison sentence; (b) have served two-thirds of their effective sentence; (c) were committed to prison before 30th September this year; (d) are favourably recommended by the prison governor.
Special category prisoners satisfying these conditions who are in the last six months of sentence may also be considered.