Inmates' early release from crowded jails

Most temporarily freed serving shorter terms

- KEN FOXE

INMATES serving sentences for homicide, weapons offences and murder bids are among those being granted temporary release by the Irish Prison Service. 

The system is grappling with severe overcrowding with anywhere between 350 and 380 inmates being given early release from their sentence over the past two months.

A snapshot of temporary release from March 31 reveals more than 20% let out were women despite females making up less than 5% of the prison population.

There were also two males convicted of homicide offences freed from jail, both serving sentences of between five and 10 years.