A TOTAL of 160 prisoners will be granted temporary release this Christmas, representing 3 per cent of the overall prison population.
The corresponding numbers released for Christmas in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were 138, 107, 176 and 134 respectively.
More than 60 per cent of those being releases are in the lower security institutions, and all are nearing the end of their sentences.
In addition to public safety and compassionate and humane considerations, other criteria taken into account when considering temporary release include the nature and gravity of the offence, length of sentence served to date, prior record on temporary release, behaviour while in custody and previous criminal history, according to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter.
The periods of release vary from a few hours (in some cases accompanied by a responsible person) up to seven nights.
All releases are subject to stringent conditions, which in the majority of cases includes a requirement to report to his/her local Garda station.
Any offender who breaks these conditions may be arrested and returned immediately to prison, said Mr Shatter.