Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 2

Written Answers. - Sex Offenders.

Dinny McGinley

Question:

46 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of sex offenders released in 1998; the number who had received specialist treatment; the number scheduled to be released in 1999 who are undergoing treatment; the number in prison; the number undergoing treatment; the number of staff in each of the prisons involved in treatment programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15276/99]

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

56 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of sex offenders in prisons on waiting lists for treatment; the numbers in receipt of treatment; the steps, if any, being taken to provide additional places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15380/99]

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

67 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures, if any, taken to inform sexual offenders in prison of the treatment programme provided in Arbour Hill prison; when it is planned to extend the number of places for these offenders to receive treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15366/99]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

88 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria used to determine whether a sexual offender who volunteers for treatment is suitable for the treatment programme in Arbour Hill; the individual who makes the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15367/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 56, 67 and 88 together.

There are 339 convicted sex offenders in Irish prisons at present and a further 41 in custody, on remand or awaiting trial on charges for sex offences. Some 103 sex offenders were released on completion of their sentences during 1998. Of these, 11 had completed the dedicated sex offender group treatment programme in Arbour Hill Prison. Thirty-one sex offenders have already been released in 1999 with a further 49 due to be released before the end of the year again on completion of their sentences. Of these, five will have completed the Arbour Hill group programme prior to their release. In addition to the dedicated group programme in Arbour Hill, many of those released would also have undergone one to one counselling.

There are ten offenders currently undertaking the dedicated group treatment programme in Arbour Hill. The number of offenders undergoing one to one counselling is difficult to define because of the varied nature of individual counselling provided to sex offenders in prison. Such counselling can vary from one session addressing a particular problem to intensive ongoing counselling. Such a service is primarily provided by the Probation and Welfare Service and the Psychology Service in my Department. Psychiatric services are also provided.

There are the equivalent of 29 full-time professionals and two consultants involved in treatment and rehabilitation programmes for sex offenders in prisons. Four of these are working on the dedicated Sex Offender Group Treatment Programme in Arbour Hill and the remainder are involved in one to one counselling.

Since the establishment of the Arbour Hill group programme in 1994, all sentenced sex offenders are invited each year to apply for a place on the programme. All applicants are interviewed by the programme delivery team to determine suitability.

Various criteria are applied to determine the suitability of an offender for the group treatment programme. These include the type of offence, amount of sentence to be served, level of danger posed to the community on release and ability to cope with the demands of such a programme. I should explain that group treatment is very demanding on participants who are compelled to confront their offending behaviour openly in group sessions. Many sex offenders in prison are often unwilling to engage in such a process and some who may be willing do not have the emotional or intellectual capacity or maturity to do so. Central to suitability is the quality and perseverance of the offender's motivation towards treatment. The final decision as to suitability is made by the programme delivery team after careful deliberation and consultation with prison personnel who know the offender well.

At present there are approximately 22 offenders on a waiting list for the Arbour Hill programme. However, this number is not static and may rise or fall depending on the motivation of any individual offender at a particular time. Where the number of suitable applicants exceeds the number of places available on the programme, priority is given to offenders whose release dates are closest. All those who apply and who are deemed suitable for group treatment are accommodated prior to release.

In view of the growing number of sex offenders in prison, I am determined to increase the number of treatment places available to sex offenders and to this end I have decided to establish a group programme to treat ten sex offenders at the Curragh Place of Detention. This takes time because of the fact that specialist skills are required. However, now that the recruitment of additional staff for the psychology and probation and welfare services is under way, I am pleased to confirm that this programme should be in place by the end of this year and will be modelled on the Arbour Hill sex offender group treatment programme.