OVERCROWDING CRISIS GETS CONS OUT OF JAIL

HUNDREDS of criminals convicted of drug offences and theft are being given temporary release to ease the overcrowding crisis in Irish jails.

- BY KEN FIOXE

Forty-six prisoners in jail for attempts or threats to murder, assault, and harassment were also set free with conditions over their release, according to figures from the Irish Prison Service.

Detailed data on the type of offenders granted temporary release (TR) show that more than 580 people were on TR on a date in the middle of May.