Sex attackers failing to get help in jail

Two thirds of convicted sex offenders due to be released from prison this year have not engaged with prison psychologists, which could have helped lower the risk of reoffending.

Latest figures show there are 319 convicted sex offenders in custody, with 114 due for release in 2012.

However, according to figures supplied to the Irish Examiner by the Prison Service, just 39 (34%) have engaged with prison psychologists in relation to their offending behaviour.

An additional six offenders are receiving other, unspecified interventions.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said more offenders may take part in the programme during the year.

He said 124 sex offenders were released during 2011, of whom 49 (40%) had engaged with prison psychologists. An additional five took part in other interventions.

The spokesman said the Building Better Lives programme was introduced in 2009 and replaced a sex offender treatment programme. He said it could facilitate a “greater number of offenders” compared to the former programme, which could only deal with eight offenders at a time.

The spokesman said BBL took into account offenders’ “individual risk, needs and capacity” and focused on high-risk offenders.

Rape crisis groups welcomed the number engaging in treatment, which they said was an improvement on previous years.

“Given there were only eight places before, these figures show a high number of inmates got into treatment,” said Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. “That’s really positive and a huge improvement.”

However, the groups stressed they did not know if the treatment was effective and were not sure what the Prison Service meant when it said offenders had “engaged” with psychologists.

In relation to the 114 offenders due to be released, Ms O’Malley-Dunlop said: “I hope in each case, victims will know the offender is being released, that there is pre-release assessment and post-release supervision. That’s what keeps society safe.”

Clíona Saidléar of Rape Crisis Network Ireland said an analysis it carried out in 2010 showed that once new committals were excluded, about 72% of convicted sex offenders engaged in treatment. New committals were excluded as they were either serving short sentences or had some time to go before being released.

“The figures show a positive engagement, given it is voluntary. However, we don’t know how effective it is. It is critical there is ongoing evaluation.”

Jonathan O’Brien, Sinn Féin’s justice spokesman, said a national sex offender treatment and management strategy was needed.

* 24-hour rape crisis helpline: 1800 778888.