Jim Higgins
Question:170 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of sex offenders in prison; and the number who have undertaken or are undertaking sex offender treatment for the offences. [12532/02]
Written Answers. - Sexual Offences.
On 22 April 2002 there were 376 prisoners in custody for sexual offences. As I have explained to the House on previous occasions there are actually four forms of direct therapeutic intervention available to sex offenders within the Irish prison system at present. These are as follows: individual counselling from the Department's psychology service and from the probation and welfare service; the multi-disciplinary Thinking Skills group work programme in Cork prison, Arbour Hill prison and the Curragh place of detention; the sex offender treatment programme. This has been in operation in Arbour Hill Prison since 1994 and was introduced in the Curragh place of detention early last year; and the psychiatric service which provides extensive support to prisoners in this category.
Every effort is made to assist sex offenders in custody who are willing to participate at some level in their personal rehabilitation and relapse prevention. While it is not possible to accurately quantify participation in all forms of rehabilitation, many of those in custody have availed of one or more of the forms of intervention referred to above. 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. This counselling can vary from one session addressing a particular problem to intensive ongoing counselling.
I can tell you, however, that there are currently 14 prisoners engaged in the sex offender treatment programme referred to above and 80 prisoners have completed the programme to date. In addition, the number of prisoners who attended the Thinking Skills programme last year was 48.
It should also be noted that it is not possible to compel sex offenders in custody to undergo treatment. Furthermore, I am advised that it would not be desirable to do so. The successful completion of any treatment course depends critically on the full and willing participation of self-motivated individuals. Otherwise, the key elements of the programme concerned with challenging the offender to take responsibility for his offending behaviour will not succeed.