Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 414: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will ensure that all sexual offenders are assessed before their release from prison to identify the level of supervision and regulation needed. [15477/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Arrangements are being made to have all sex offenders in prison assessed before their release. This is being introduced on a phased basis giving priority to those offenders identified as being of higher risk. I have been advised that by the end of this year, we will have reached the stage where the majority of sex offenders are being assessed.

While all sex offenders must notify the Gardaí of their names and addresses, generally speaking when a prisoner has fully completed his or her sentence he/she is no longer subject to any legal obligation to be subject to supervision. However, some former prisoners will, of their own volition, participate in courses/programmes arranged through the Probation Service. In the case of sexual offences the Judge at the time of sentencing may include a post release supervision order which applies after the custodial part of the sentence has been served. Some form of supervision may also be imposed by the Courts in the context of a part or full suspended sentence.

The Probation Service carries out formal risk assessments on offenders using validated risk assessment instruments. This informs both the level of supervision and the targets for intervention during supervision. Evidence from research indicates that the higher the level of risk, the greater the level of intervention required. Supervision levels therefore vary depending on the level of assessed risk. Supervision incorporates a multi agency and cross sectoral approach.

Additionally my Department through the Probation Service financially supports a broad range of community programmes to support the supervision process. For example, in partnership with the Granada Institute, the Probation Service runs the Lighthouse Sex Offender Treatment Programme. This is a therapeutic group work programme which aims to reduce the risk of re-offending. There are two group work programmes running currently in Dublin and one in Cork. The three programmes offer places to a total on 24 sex offenders at any one time. I should also make the Deputy aware of some more recent developments:

• Firstly, I published a significant Discussion Document on the management of sex offenders last January which sets out a range of enhanced initiatives that will result in more strategic targeting of higher risk offenders by the Gardaí and the Probation Service with the full support of the Irish Prison Service.

• Secondly, I have asked my Department to review the operation of the Sex Offenders Act, 2001.

• Thirdly, I have also asked my Department to examine how we might use Electronic Monitoring technology to monitor sex offenders during the first six months following release from prison as well as the more general application of this technology to the wider prisoner population. The Project Group set up to look at this matter - which is led by the Probation Service - is due to report later in the year and my Department is looking at the legislative implications of monitoring the sex offender cohort for a defined period following release.

The Irish Prison Service is introducing a number of initiatives aimed at increasing the range and availability of therapeutic interventions for sex offenders in prison, increasing participation rates and increasing the effectiveness of interventions. The new treatment programme "Building Better Lives", the rollout of which commenced in January 2009, will ensure that all sex offenders serving sentences of one year or more will have access to appropriate treatment.