‘Unsupported’ sex offenders are likely to reoffend

Many jailed sex offenders are released into an “unsupervised and unsupported abyss” that inevitably results in them reoffending and returning to prison, an official inspection body has said.

It said those released from Arbour Hill Prison, the country’s dedicated jail for sex offenders, are typically subjected to “persecution and harassment” when freed.

The Arbour Hill Visiting Committee said legislation was needed to being to an end the “merry-go-round” of which State agency was responsible for their care on release.