Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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1092. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline the range of rehabilitative programmes, counselling and psychology services available in the prison service to sex offenders; if participation in and completion of such programmes are mandatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37902/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the treatment of sex offenders is centred in Arbour Hill where sex offenders undertake the Building Better Lives programme (BBL). The programme comprises group interventions in three modules and allows responsive and flexible delivery of rehabilitation services which take account of individual risk, needs and capacity.

The programme is provided by a team of psychologists who have developed specific expertise in clinical practice including assessment and therapeutic work with men convicted of sexual offences.

The Baseline Project is a joint initiative between the Northside Inter Agency Project (NIAP) and the IPS Psychology Service which provides group programmes for young offenders in St Patrick’s Institution with a history of sexually harmful behaviour.  It also continues work into the community for those with convictions for sexual offences. 

The group programmes are rolling programmes with new participants joining and others leaving groups in response to progress.  Time for completion does vary from individual to individual.

Not all sex offenders are suited to group programmes and other prison-based therapeutic interventions include one-to-one interventions. Sex offenders also engage with other services in order to address other related needs, such as mental health needs.

The Building Better Lives programme has the capacity to provide interventions to up to 60 prisoners. Since its inception in January 2009 to the end of August 2013, 343 offenders have been assessed by the Psychology Service for participation in the programme and 141 offenders have actually participated. Currently, 27 offenders are engaged in the BBL programme.

While offenders can be supported and encouraged in their efforts to address their offending behaviour, ultimately successful completion of an intervention programme depends on the willing participation and commitment of appropriately motivated individuals. It is not possible to force an individual to engage in psychological intervention against their will.

I would also like to advise that the Probation Service engages with sex offenders in individual work throughout the course of their sentence. This work primarily focuses on reducing the risk posed by the individual following release and also on child protection issues which may arise.