Prisoners in Cork set for early release

Prisoners from Cork Prison will be among those released early as the Irish Prison Service seeks to alleviate its overcrowding problem. 

Over the next three years, 400 inmates will be freed each year on temporary release. Only prisoners who are serving sentences of between one and eight years will be eligible for release. In total, one third of Ireland’s prison population will be granted temporary release.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter said that the scheme will be operated "with great care". He said that candidates will be vetted by the Prison Service.

"That assessment is very carefully done and of course it's very important that we ensure that members of the community aren't put at risk and as I said, so far, the pilot scheme that has operated has worked well," he said.

"This scheme will be operated with great care. It's only a small portion of what's happening under the strategic plan." However, Advic, which represents the families of murder victims, says that it will put innocent people at risk.

Cork Prison has a population of around 300 people on average, while its official capacity is 150.

In January Justice Minister Alan Shatter announced plans to build a new prison close to the current site on Rathmore Road on the North side of the city, in the current prison car park.

The new prison will accommodate 250 prisoners.