Recidivism low for sex offenders

Almost half of sex offenders currently in the prison system are undertaking psychological treatment, with the Irish Prison Service stressing that other offenders were accessing other forms of support.

The figures show that 343 prisoners are in custody who have been convicted of a sex offence, and of those 168 — or 48% — are currently engaged with the prison system’s psychology service, including the ‘Building Better Lives’ programme first opened up in 2009.

The figures, provided by the Irish Prison Service, also show that of the total number of individuals convicted of sexual violence, 178 currently in custody will be required to participate in post-release supervision with the Probation Service.