Phil Hogan
Question:40 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice the treatment programmes available in our prison system for those convicted of child abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Prison Treatment Programme.
One of the primary objectives of the prison system is to provide prisoners with such help, guidance, counselling, education and training as will lead them, as far as practicable, to a constructive life in the community on release. This objective has particular significance for offenders who have been convicted of child abuse given the imperative of discouraging repeat offences following release from prison. However, it is necessary to be very realistic about what is and what is not achievable. Experience in other countries suggest that there are no easy means of achieving results with this kind of offender and I am not aware of any prison administration which has devised a treatment programme which will guarantee that sex offenders will not repeat their offences on release. There appears to be a number of different approaches aimed at reducing recidivism but no one programme stands out as offering exceptionally good results.
Nevertheless, my Department has been carrying out a feasibility study of what may be available by way of a treatment programme which is practicable, achievable, sustainable and open to evaluation and I plan to publish a discussion paper on the subject shortly. In the meantime such prisoners will continue to have access to a range of services including medical, psychiatric, psychological, welfare, training and education to help them on an individual basis.