Vol. 488 No. 6
43 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will extend the number of places available for the treatment of convicted sex offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6768/98]
At present there are two forms of therapeutic intervention available to sex offenders within the prison system. Both are aimed at enabling such offenders gain some measure of control over their offending behaviour.
The first is individual counselling from my Department's clinical psychology service and from the probation and welfare service. This form of theratpeutic intervention is available to all sex offenders who seek it, with the temporary exception of those in the Curragh Place of Detention where it will be provided at the earliest opportunity.
The second is an intensive offence focused group work programme which is available only in Arbour Hill Prison at the moment. The dedicated treatment programme in Arbour Hill Prison can cater for up to ten offenders at one time and takes ten to 11 months to complete. The emphasis is on accepting personal responsibility for the offence and developing effective relapse prevention strategies for each offender. All convicted sex offenders who are in custody are invited to apply to participate in the programme. Those who apply are considered by the treatment team but not all are deemed suitable. Where more than ten offenders who have applied are deemed suitable, the places on the programme are allocated to those nearest the end of their sentence. The others are offered a place on a subsequent programme.
It is important to note that both forms of treatment are voluntary; offenders are encouraged to avail of these services but they are neither compelled to attend, nor do they receive any extra concessions for attending.
I am keen to expand treatment programmes for sex offenders and my Department is actively examining the possibility of increasing the number of group treatment places available by locating a further group treatment programme for ten sex offenders at the Curragh. In view of the specialised skills necessary to set up and run such a programme, however, it will take some time to put a new programme in place.
