HC Deb 03 November 1998 vol 318 cc488-9W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners have applied to the Prison Sentence Review Commission for an accelerated release date; on how many cases the commission has made a determination; and for unsuccessful applications, what reasons were given. [56393]

Mr. Ingram

Statutory responsibility for these matters lies with the Sentence Review Commissioners. I have asked the joint Chairmen, Mr. Brian Currin and Sir John Blelloch, to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Sir John Blelloch to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 3 November 1998: You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for information concerning applications made under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. In her answer the Secretary of State advised that, as statutory responsibility for this matter lay with the Sentence Review Commissioners, I would reply. I can advise that, up until 29 October 1998, 512 prisoners have applied to the Sentence Review Commissioners for a declaration that they are eligible for release in accordance with the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. Of these, 221 prisoners have received substantive determinations advising that their applications had been successful. There have been no substantive determinations advising that the applicant had been unsuccessful. A copy of this letter will be placed in the library of the House of Commons.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the qualifying prisoners whose release has been accelerated as a result of a determination made by the sentence review commission, in each case indicating the(a) nature of the offence, (b) date of conviction, (c) original sentence, (d) sentencing jurisdiction, (e) original release date after remission or estimated on the basis of average figures in the case of life sentences and (f) accelerated release date. [56390]

Mr. Ingram

Statistical information in the format requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Details of individual prisoners are not given for sensitivity and safety considerations; however, I will arrange for a written reply to be made to my hon. Friend which will detail available statistical information on prisoner releases which have been accelerated as a result of determinations made by the Sentence Review Commissioners.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate, on the basis of those prisoners who have been given accelerated release dates and those who would expect to be released in the next two years, how many prisoners will be released in each month up to August 2000. [56391]

Mr. Ingrain

The information requested is not readily available in the detail specified in the question and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, similar information was provided on the basis of quarterly projections in my response to the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr. Ross) on 2 November 1998,Official Report, columns 363–64.