Seán Doherty
Ceist:64 Mr. Doherty asked the Minister for Justice whether additional resources will be provided at Arbour Hill Prison in order to treat habitual sex offenders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5426/97]
Written Answers. - Treatment of Sex Offenders.
There has already been a substantial investment in terms of specialist staff resources in the core national treatment programme for convicted sex offenders which is currently in place at Arbour Hill Prison and there are no immediate plans for an expansion of the programme there. This programme is group therapy based. The emphasis is on accepting personal responsibility for the offence and developing effective relapse prevention strategies for each offender. The programme is reviewed on an ongoing basis by a multi-disciplinary team chaired by a senior official in my Department. The question of any additional resources for this programme is addressed in that forum in the first instance. I am examining the feasibility of providing an additional treatment programme in another prison.