Prisoners 'may need parole incentives'

PRISONERS SERVING fixed sentences may need greater incentives to take part in the parole process after a record number of inmates declined to take part in the process, according to officials.

The annual report of the Parole Board says it found 65 prisoners were invited to take part in the parole process. However, 20 (31 per cent) declined to do so. Some 19 of the 20 were serving fixed term sentences. The remaining prisoner was serving a life sentence.

The board’s chairman, John Costello, said the board had to try to incentivise fixed term or life sentence prisoners to participate in the parole process through measures such as community service or moving to open prisons.

He welcomed comments last year by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, who said he was examining a proposal that could involve greater use of community service, to grant parole to those who are sentenced to terms of five years or more.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Shatter did not refer to this proposal but said he planned to enact legislation to place the board on a statutory footing. This would help strengthen the Parole Board and improve its functions, he said.

In all, the board reviewed the cases of 89 prisoners in 2011 and made recommendations to the Minister in respect of 88. One recommendation was deferred until 2012. The majority of those recommendations (85) were accepted in full by the Minister.