evidence: NI: More than half of NI prisoners released in 2012/13 went on to re-offend Almost half of prisoners released from custody in Northern Ireland in 2012/13 went on to re-offend, according to new figures published by Justice Minister David Ford. Responding to a written question in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr Ford said 1,624 prisoners were released from custody during 2012/13 and a total of 760 (46.8 per cent) went on to re-offend.