59B.—(1) The Minister may, if he is of the view that it is more appropriate for a prisoner to serve the prisoner’s sentence in a place other than a prison, direct the Commissioner to make an external placement order in respect of the prisoner for a period not exceeding 12 months.
(2) The Minister may direct the Commissioner to extend the duration of an external placement order for one or more times, by a period not exceeding 12 months each time.
(3) In determining for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) and section 59H(1) whether it is more appropriate for a prisoner to serve his sentence in a place other than a prison —
(a)
the Minister shall have regard to the following factors:
(i)
that it is ordinarily in the public interest that prisoners serve their sentences in a prison; and
(ii)
the threat, if any, likely to be posed by the prisoner to public safety if he is released or continues to be released on external placement; and
(b)
the Minister may have regard to the following factors: