Sex Offenders

The public is becoming increasingly concerned about the level of sex crime. In 1980, 46 rapes were recorded by the Gardaí. By 1990 this had almost doubled and by 1996 it had doubled again. To some extent this reflects a growing willingness on the part of victims to report to the police, even incidents which may have taken place many years previously.

Sex offenders who come before the courts are dealt with severely. In a recent study, it was found that the average prison sentence received by a convicted rapist was over eight years. In November 1998 there were 280 convicted sex offenders in Irish prisons. This was one in eight of the total male sentenced prison population. Roughly equal proportions had been convicted for offences against adults and children.

At present a sex offender treatment programme is available only in Arbour Hill prison in Dublin. It caters for a maximum of ten inmates each year. There are almost one hundred sex offenders in the Curragh prison, but there is no treatment whatsoever. Prisoners must volunteer for a place on the programme, but most show no interest. It may be that those who are least motivated to change are in greatest need of help. There is a growing body of evidence to show that mandatory treatment can be effective. Successful completion of a course of treatment should be a central element of every sex offender's sentence plan.

Sex offenders are warehoused together in a small number of prisons. This policy of concentration has the serious disadvantage of creating an environment where distorted ways of thinking about crime, such as denial and victim blame, might be reinforced rather than challenged. It is crucial to prevent such a culture emerging by developing an ethos based on tackling offending behaviour. Treatment programmes must be part of a wider therapeutic regime.

Prison-based treatments must be linked with community programmes to ensure that any therapeutic gains achieved in custody are sustained outside. It is important that prisoners are reintroduced into society safely and under supervision. The development of community-based programmes is a matter of some urgency.

— Would society be safer if we had a register of sex offenders?

There is a great deal of interest today in the idea of a register of sex offenders. However it is important to be realistic about what registration could achieve. A register is no more than a list of names and addresses. While knowing the whereabouts of convicted sex offenders is important for community safety, there are genuine problems associated with determining which names should be entered on the register and how long they should remain there. Could an individual have his name removed should the threat he poses be reduced? If so how would such a decision be made? Who would have access to the register? To what extent would details be made public? How can we ensure that those persons whose details have been registered are safe from vigilantism, intimidation and assault?

If a register is introduced it is important to ensure that registration does not become automatic for all classes of sex offender, regardless of the level of risk they pose. If this were to happen the potential value of such a device would be diluted. A limited number of sex offenders may be at high risk of re-offending and special measures may be required to monitor and control them.

It is important to remember that few sex offenders are apprehended and convicted. They are not usually strangers who must be identified so that the community can protect itself. They are often well known to victims and their families, and are sometimes in positions of trust. Registration will not protect society from such abusers. It can only be one element of the response to a complex problem. To be of any value, its introduction will have to be accompanied by a commitment to treatment, support and supervision.

It has been estimated that around one in three cases of child sex abuse are perpetrated by adolescents, some of whom have themselves been abused. For some of these adolescents this marks the beginning of a career of abuse. It is crucial that adequate resources are targeted at this vulnerable age group. The research evidence shows that early interventions have the greatest impact.

Recommendations

1. A sex offender treatment programme should be introduced to the Curragh prison.
2. Community based treatment facilities must be developed.
3. Some sex offenders need constant monitoring. Registration may help achieve this goal.

— Welcome - About Calypso - Calypso Productions - Theatre and Social Change -
— Racism in Ireland - Refugees and Asylum Seekers - Irish Prisons -