Written answers

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Sex Offender Treatment Programme

9:00 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 596: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of the 324 prisoners currently in custody under sentence for crimes of a sexual nature who have requested treatment for their offending behaviour but have not been able to access such treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30405/09]

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 598: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of funding allocated to the treatment of sex offenders for each of the past six years; if this funding has been cut recently; the amount it has been cut by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30407/09]

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 599: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of female sex offenders currently in custody here; the treatment programmes available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30408/09]

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

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 596, 598 and 599 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, on 22 April 2009 I announced a new policy on the management of sex offenders in prison. The policy document is available on the website of the Irish Prison Service (www.irishprisons.ie). The policy is aimed at bringing about changes in offenders' lives that reduce risk of re-offending and enhance public protection. It forms an integral part of the wider range of interventions by criminal justice and community-based agencies.

In addition, a new programme of group interventions for sex offenders was introduced in January 2009. The programme, "Building Better Lives", allows more responsive and flexible delivery to a greater number of offenders than heretofore. The new treatment programme will ensure that all sex offenders serving sentences of one year or more will have access to appropriate treatment. This new programme replaced the Sex Offender Programme which ran from 1994 to 2008. Under that programme some 136 sex offenders completed what was an intensive eleven month programme. When fully operational the new programme will allow for interventions to take place with up to 60 offenders. Whilst it is too early to evaluate take-up of the new programme I am confident that we will achieve a significant level of voluntary take-up of the interventions offered.

Therapeutic interventions with sex offenders are delivered primarily through the Psychology Service of the Irish Prison Service. It is not possible to disaggregate the number of posts or funding specifically dedicated to sexual offending interventions. However, the resources allocated to the Psychology Service have been increased substantially in recent years. Between 2002 and 2008, the staffing complement increased from 8 to the current level of 21.

There is a comprehensive range of services available to sex offenders and any willing participant can be facilitated within the range of therapeutic interventions. These comprise notably one-to-one interventions, group interventions, community-based services and interventions available to prisoners generally. Interventions by community-based services in 2009 include motivational enhancement groups provided by the Granada Institute in the Midlands and Wheatfield prisons and interventions with young sex offenders provided by the Northside Inter-Agency Project (NIAP) in St Patrick's Institution. Sex offenders continue to benefit from other group programmes not specifically designed for sex offenders but addressing their needs. These include stress management, anger management and cognitive skills training. They also have access to visiting psychiatrists.

With regard to female sex offenders, there is currently one in custody. The small number at any one time does not allow delivery of group programmes such as the Exploring Better Lives programme but female offenders have access to the range of other interventions. The new Irish Prison Service sex offender policy, the increase in resources to the Psychology Service and the new group programme highlight the commitment of my Department and the Irish Prison Service to working with sex offenders. There are no plans to reduce this level of commitment.

The Probation Service, in partnership with the Granada Institute, runs the Lighthouse treatment programmes for sex offenders under Probation Service supervision. Currently there are three group programmes in operation. Two are based in Dublin and one in Cork. The programmes deal with offenders from all parts of the country. The Cork programme currently has attendees from Cork, Waterford, Louth, Tipperary and Kerry. The two Dublin programmes currently have attendees from Dublin, Monaghan, Mayo, Wexford, and Cavan. Each group programme has the capacity for eight offenders, giving a total of twenty four places.

In addition to the group work programmes and in response to specific needs, the Lighthouse programme offers a limited number of individual places for sex offender treatment. Currently there are seven sex offenders receiving individual sex offender treatment. There are therefore 30 sex offenders currently attending Lighthouse sex offender treatment programmes.

Funding to the Granada Institute for the Lighthouse Programme:

2004 €300,000

2005 €300,000 + €95,000*

2006 €300,000

2007 €300,000

2008 €320,000

2009 €395,000

In 2005, at a cost of €10,000, the Probation Service commissioned Dr Sean Hammond and Dr Ethel Quoyle, Psychology Department U.C.C. to produce a practice manual and related training for Probation Officers supervising sex offenders in the community.

*This was a once off payment to meet 2003 and 2004 deficit.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.