Sex offenders can no longer be fully segregated in jails due to overcrowding
Electronic tagging pilot project is expected to initially number fewer than 70 tags
The Midlands Prison in Portlaoise
The Sunday World also understands the Department of Justice's electronic tagging pilot project, which has gone to tender, is expected to initially number less than 70 tags. It will be up and running by the end of the year.
The low number in the pilot scheme means it will not have any immediate impact on the prison overcrowding issue. However, a government source stressed the pilot project is expected to be expanded swiftly after its initial run.
Jim O'Callaghan said a steering group will look at tagging issues
As of last week, there were 5,579 inmates in Irish prisons, with a total bed capacity for 4,672, meaning the system was close to 1,000 prisoners over capacity.
As of May 31 this year, there were 800 sentenced prisoners in custody for sexual offences. This compares to 489 on the same date in 2022.
Traditionally, sex offenders have been housed mainly at the Midlands Prison and Dublin's Arbour Hill Prison. However, due to the increased numbers, these offenders are now also being housed in The Grove in Castlerea Prison, Co Roscommon, where sex offenders and other long-term inmates live in houses within the grounds.
In addition, Mountjoy Prison West now houses a number of sex offenders.
It was decided that this is a suitable location to accommodate sex offenders
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan told the Dáil in recent weeks: 'I can confirm that the process of accommodating sex offenders in the part of Mountjoy Prison West, which was previously known as the Progression Unit, commenced during March 2024.
'This area of Mountjoy Prison is self-sufficient in relation to recreation, education, work and training. There is no requirement for prisoners living here to interact or traverse to the main prison. For this reason, it was decided that this is a suitable location to accommodate sex offenders.'
Prison bosses have always strived to keep sex offenders separate to other inmates, for their own safety, but this is proving increasingly difficult.
'The Midlands and Arbour Hill are the traditional jails used to house sex offenders. But now these type of offenders are also in Mountjoy West, The Grove in Castlerea as well as Limerick and Cork prisons. The number of sex offenders has significantly increased but prison space has not,' said a prison source.
'There is a protection issue and the Irish Prison Service is aware of this. A sex offenders' regime is slightly different to the rest of the prison population.'
The Grove, Castlerea Prison
Sex offenders generally go out to recreational yards at the same time.
'These type of prisoners don't generally mix with the rest of the prison population but stick to themselves. But in the houses in The Grove in Castlerea, they are alongside other long-term prisoners, who are generally nearing the end of their sentence,' the source said.
'It is certainly not the case that sex offenders could ever be housed in the main prison population in Mountjoy for example.'
The Building Better Lives (BBL) programme, previously the primary treatment for sex offenders in Irish prisons, was replaced by a new model called New Chapters last November following a review. At present it is only available at the Midlands and Arbour Hill prisons.
Sex offenders, unlike all other prisoners, are not entitled to an automatic 25pc remission from their jail terms. They are also not eligible for early release. This cohort of criminals would not be considered for release to be monitored by an electronic tag — however, they could potentially be tagged if they are subject to a post-release supervision order by the courts.
Mr O'Callaghan outlined to the Dáil that electronic tagging is expected to be used for some people out on bail, on temporary release and sex offenders 'subject to a post-release supervision order or a sex-offender order that includes a condition restricting movement'.
He said existing legislation provides for electronic monitoring in certain circumstances and that a steering group was established in 2024 to oversee electronic monitoring proposals.
'I am advised that work is under way involving representatives from the various agencies to prepare to operationalise electronic monitoring,' he said.
'This includes consideration of technology, data protection, procurement, implementation, and operating model design. A Request for Information was published on eTenders on Thursday, 5th June. An initial rollout of electronic monitoring is expected later this year following a procurement exercise to select a service provider.'
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