HC Deb 17 April 1980 vol 982 c723W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average term of years actually served by those given life sentences in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Alison

Since 1970 only seven persons serving indeterminate sentences have been released on licence. The average time served was 11 years. This figure does not include one person who was recalled to prison and served a further three and a half years before being released again.

No person serving an indeterminate sentence for any offence associated with the current terrorist campaign has yet been released.