Nearly 400 sex offenders in prisons

The number of sex offenders currently in Irish jails makes up one of the largest groups in the prison system.

That is according to new figures provided by Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald who confirms there are 397 sex offenders locked up at this time.

The figures provided by Ms Fitzgerald in a written Dáil reply to Green Party leader Eamon Ryan also show that there are currently 448 killers behind bars for a variety of homicide offences including murder and manslaughter.

The figures show that convicted thieves are the largest group in Irish prison — numbering 792 — while those convicted of threatening to kill total 575.

The minister also confirmed there are 417 in jail for drug offences and 374 in prison for burglary and related offences. The number convicted of robbery, extortion and hijacking offences total 126; while 138 people have been convicted of weapons and explosives offences.

The minister also confirmed that the numbers convicted for offences against the State and organised crime total 68; while 43 are in jail for kidnapping and related offences. The numbers in jail for road and traffic offences total 59 while 50 people are currently incarcerated for public order and social code offences.

The number of convicted fraudsters in prisons total 65; while there are 80 in jail for damage to property and the environment; and a further 100 in jail for committing dangerous or negligent acts.

The 397 sex offenders are serving sentences for a variety of sex crimes including rape and sexual assault and possession/distribution of child pornography. Throughout this year, 104 sex offenders will be released from Irish prisons with a dedicated treatment programme for those sex offenders in the prison system costing €96,000 each year to operate.

Currently, there are 3,762 prisoners serving sentences in Irish prisons.

According to the minister, the cost of available staffed places in the Irish prison system last year declined marginally from €68,959 to €68,628. The cost of accommodating prisoners in Portlaoise prison is much higher due to it being the State’s only high-security prison.

On the numbers in Irish jails for the non-payment of fines, Ms Fitzgerald told Éamon Ó Cuív: “The number of such persons held in prison for the non-payment of fines at any one time is a tiny fraction of the overall prison population.

In a written Dáil reply to the FF deputy, Ms Fitzgerald said: “To illustrate this point, on June 17, 2016, 3 people or 0.08% out of a prison population of 3,795, in custody fell into this category.

“On the same date there was no person in prison for the non-payment of debts.” According to the minister, the new Fines Act “represents a very significant change in the way justice is administered by the courts”.

She said: “As well as introducing an option for persons to pay fines by instalment, there are also changes in the way those who fail to pay fines are dealt with, as the Act provides a range of options available to judges including recovery orders, attachment of earnings, community service and ultimately imprisonment.”