§ 19. Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether there is evidence that those convicted of offences at an earlier stage of the present unrest in Northern Ireland are re-engaging in criminal activity following their release from prison.
§ Mr. ConcannonThe only figures available are of those who have been re-convicted by the courts following their release under the conditional release scheme. Of the 1,452 prisoners released in this way between 1st March 1976 and 30th September this year, 77 were reconvicted during their period of liability; 41 of these were sentenced to direct imprisonment and 36 received suspended or other non custodial sentences. The
902W
PIRA OIRA IRSP UDA UVF Total Special Category population at 6th November 1977 430 38 27 143 220 858 Life Sentence prisoners (including those detained at Secretary of State's pleasure) 60 9 — 38 49 156 Judge's recommendations of terms over 10 years 14 1 — 6 13 34 Releases within— 1 year 97 14 12 45 47 215 2 years 190 20 18 67 94 389 3 years 251 26 22 83 127 509 4 years 285 27 23 95 143 573 5 years 318 27 24 102 153 624 scheme will continue to be monitored closely, and reconviction statistics should become increasingly meaningful as time goes on.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the persons who have been convicted and imprisoned in Northern Ireland from 1st March 1976 have been given special category status.
§ Mr. ConcannonDuring the period 1st March 1976 to 6th November 1977 a total of 348 prisoners whose offences had been committed before 1st March 1976 have been given special category. Fifty-nine of these were given it during the first six months of this year, and only nine since.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners still enjoy special category status in Northern Ireland prisons; of those who do, how many belong to the Provisional Irish Republican Army, Official Irish Republican Army, Ulster Defence Association, Ulster Volunteer Force, Red Hand Commando, PLA, etc.; how many of each group are serving life sentences; how many of each group are serving sentences where the judge recommended terms in excess of 10 years; and how many of each group will be due for release within one year, two years, three years, four years and five years.
§ Mr. ConcannonOn 6th November 1977 there were 858 special category prisoners in prisons in Northern Ireland. The further information requested, including the organisations with which these prisoners have claimed connection, is as follows:
903WThose who claim allegiance to the two other organisations mentioned in the Question are not classified separately.