A prison governor says conjugal visits should be considered for inmates in Irish jails.

Unlike many other countries, prisoners here in have no right to time with their partners.

It comes as inmates await news about whether they've made the list of over 200 who will get temporary release for Christmas.

Colm Bartley is governor of Wheatfield Prison in Dublin's Clondalkin - he believes conjugal visits are a reasonable idea:

Just over 200 prisoners in Irish prisons will leave their cells for temporary release for Christmas. Newstalk's Shona Murray investigated what happens to prisoners during the festive period.

Release for prisoners at Christmas time is on stringent terms; they have to report to Garda station daily, and are asked to steer away from alcohol.

Normally, if granted release, they get to stay home for a week, although occasionally this is just from the 24th to the 26th.

Anyone susceptible to addiction, or violence is less likely to be considered because of how sensitive Christmas is, and how emotional periods can often drive people back to their addictions.

Here is the report in full: