Vol. 459 No. 8
38 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Justice the success or otherwise of rehabilitation treatment programmes being offered to sex offenders in our prisons; the participation rates in these programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16482/95]
It is far too soon to evaluate with any degree of accuracy the success or otherwise of the current treatment programme for sex offenders as most of the participants to date are still in custody. Preliminary indications are that the offenders involved have responded well to the programme. I should point out that the programme is voluntary and prisoners may refuse to take part in it. To date, ten offenders have gone through the programme and a further ten have commenced the programme.
