Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 7

Written Answers. - Prison Probation and Welfare Service.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

45 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Justice the proposals if any, she has to expand the resources and the mandate of the prison probation and welfare service with a view to providing a comprehensive and structured programme of rehabilitative services. [8018/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

Probation and Welfare Service personnel working in prisons and places of detention have contributed significantly in the development of specialised programmes for offenders e.g. social skills, alcohol education groups, drugs therapeutic counselling, group and pre-release resocialisation programmes for long term offenders.

The objectives of the Probation and Welfare Service in prisons and places of detention are set out in my Department's policy documentThe Management of Offenders A Five Year Plan published last June. The main objectives as set out in chapter 8 are: (1) to assist those in custody through individual and group programmes towards an amelioration of personal and familial difficulties; (2) to confront those in custody with their offending behaviour and to counsel them towards a greater understanding of their responsibilities to themselves, their families and their communities; (3) to develop and promote good personal management arrangements and to make effective resettlement plans with those in custody, and to implement them on release; (4) to utilise and develop community resources to meet accommodation, training and treatment needs.

The plan recognises the need for additional staff as follows: (i) ten probation and welfare officers — two senior and eight basic grade — and two clerical support staff to provide a more comprehensive pre-release service to long term offenders and (ii) four probation and welfare officers — one senior and three basic grade — and one clerical support officer to deliver — in co-operation with the psychology service — the specialised sex offender treatment programme. Recruitment of the additional staff is proceeding.