Just over 100 prisoners were released from Northern Ireland jails today for Christmas home leave.
In total 118 inmates were released for periods running until January 3rd, said the Prison Service.
However a further 80 inmates were refused leave after their applications were considered by Home Leave Allocation Boards.
All the prisoners granted leave have been subjected to a risk assessment and are in the final stages of their sentence and all will have successfully completed at least one earlier period of pre-release home and resettlement leave.
The North's Prison Service said the leave scheme had operated for many years and there had been few breaches of the conditions.
Yesterday it was reported that some 280 prisoners are to be given release for Christmas in the Republic. The figure represents 9 per cent of the State's prison population and is 14 risoners fewer than last year.
