2204. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prisoners released from each prison under the community return scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2025, and to date in 2026; the numbers of prisoners that had been in custody for under one month, under two months, under three months, three to six months, six months to one year, between one to two years, between two to five years, over five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61126/26]

2210. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prisoners granted early release from the prison estate in each of the years 2021 to 2025 and to date in 2026, disaggregated by the scheme under which release was granted including reviewable temporary release, the community return programme, the community support scheme, and any temporary release scheme introduced or expanded to address overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61182/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2204 and 2210 together.

The Community Return Scheme is a supervised and structured scheme, introduced in August 2011, that supports persons subject to it, during an initial period of release from prison. This is a critical period of time where they adjust to community based living. Community Return involves the person making reparation through community work which is of benefit to the community and to themselves. Engagement in the scheme offers these people an opportunity to avail of early release from prison; reintegration opportunities with their families; results in improved resettlement outcomes; structure and routine in daily life; promotes the development and maintenance of a work ethic and improved sense of self and skills development that supports future employability.

I am advised that compliance rates have remained consistent since the introduction of the scheme. These validate the assessment process and the systems implemented for the day to day management by Community Service Supervisors on work site. The Initial Pilot Assessment had a compliance rate of 90%. An evaluation from 2014 indicated a compliance rate of 89% and up to date data indicates the same compliance rate.

In order to be considered for Community Return Scheme persons must be serving a period of imprisonment of 1 to 8 years; they must have demonstrated a willingness to engage in authorised structured activities and rehabilitative opportunities while in prison; they must be deemed to be of good behaviour while in prison.

All persons released under the scheme must reside at an agreed address, be of good behaviour, report back to a stated prison on a set date, be of sober habits and not convey messages into prisons. There is also a requirement to report to a Garda station on the days they are not on site or back at the prison. Extra conditions may attach in any individual case such as attendance at a training or addiction service, to stay away from a particular area or produce wage slip as evidence of employment.

To date, since 2020, over 1,400 prisoners have been released from custody to the Community Return Scheme with a compliance rate of 89%. If a person is non-compliant with the conditions of their temporary release to the Community Return Scheme they have their temporary release revoked and return to custody to serve out the remainder of their sentence.

I am advised that the attached tables outline the number of persons who were either granted temporary release or full temporary release during the years requested. Prisoners who are granted full temporary release are prisoners who are in the very latter stages of their sentence and in the vast majority of cases they will receive 2- or 3-days early release to access medical, social welfare or accommodation services, particularly if their release date falls on a Friday, Saturday or Bank Holiday.

I am further advised that the total number of releases to the Community Return Scheme since 2020, including the prison that they were released from, is set out in the following table

Temporary release or full temporary release