Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the arrangements in place to supervise prisoners following their release; the number of prisoners currently under supervision; the level of supervision that is taking place generally in respect of prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14335/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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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. Furthermore, in the case of certain offences (e.g. 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. Of course, prisoners, including life sentenced prisoners, given temporary release are still subject to their sentence and temporary release is given subject to various conditions which the prisoner must comply with or else they risk return to prison.

Persons come under the supervision of the Probation Service on release from prison under certain specific legislation, namely:

• The Criminal Justice Act 1960 (temporary release) as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003;

• The Sex Offender Act 2001; and

• The Criminal Justice Act 2006

In respect of the Criminal Justice Act 1960 (temporary release) as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003 there are currently 82 offenders under the supervision of Probation Service.

In respect of the Sex Offender Act, 2001 there were 106 sex offenders under the supervision of the Probation Service on the 20th April of which 80 have served a custodial sentence prior to commencing supervision. On the same date there were 139 offenders in custody who will be subject to supervision following release.

In respect of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 I am advised that the Probation Service is updating its record on the number of offenders in the community who are subject to Probation supervision in the community under this Act. When this work is completed I will provide the Deputy with the up-to-date information. I can tell the Deputy that there are currently 477 prisoners in custody serving part suspended sentences under the 2006 Act.

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.