JOURNALIST HUMPHRIES REFUSES THERAPY
DISGRACED journalist Tom Humphries has rejected psychological therapy in prison after his conviction for child sex crimes.
The former Irish Times sports writer was asked by prison bosses if he was willing to take part in a programme to help amend the psychological issues that led to his crimes – but he said no.
In October last year, the then 54year-old was jailed for two-and-ahalf years for grooming a girl from when she was 14-years-old before sexually abusing her.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court previously heard Humphries exchanged at least 16,000 text messages with the girl during a three-month period leading up to March 2011, as part of the grooming process. The Mail understands that Humphries was recently offered a place on the Building Better Lives treatment programme but he ‘immediately rejected it’.
According to the Irish Prison Service website, the policy around the therapy for sex offenders ‘is aimed at bringing about changes in offenders’ lives that reduce the risk of re-offending and enhance public protection’.
All inmates convicted of sexual offences – against children and adults – are offered therapy to try and address their problems.
A prison source said: ‘Humphries did not even consider it. He said “No” immediately. He either thinks he doesn’t have a problem or is not willing to address it. He is out in August next year, so he’s happy to keep his head down and not address his problems, it seems.’
The sex offender programme was rolled out in 2009. It uses a ‘strengths-based psychology approach’, according to the prison service website.
It comprises of three components – the Exploring Better Lives programme, the Practising Better Lives programme, and the Maintaining Better Lives programme.
The programme is delivered at Dublin’s Arbour Hill jail by a team of psychologists, including clinical and counselling psychologists, who have developed specific expertise in dealing with men convicted of sexual offences.
Convicted sex offenders are also offered one-to-one interventions, among other things.
The former journalist is based at the Midlands jail and would have had to transfer to Arbour Hill to avail of the therapy.
A prison source said: ‘Arbour Hill enjoys a more relaxed regime than the Midlands. In truth, he would have an easier life there. He simply point-blank refused therapy.’
The Mail recently revealed that the 55-year-old has been learning Spanish ahead of his possible relocation overseas.
It was also revealed that Humphries was moved in recent weeks to share a cell with John Tighe, who was sentenced to life in late March for the murder of his sixmonth-old son.
Humphries had been sharing a cell with an ‘inoffensive’ inmate in the jail but he was moved when he ‘reacted badly’ to being told a third inmate was due to be moved into their cell, which had capacity for three.
A prison source explained: ‘Humphries was in a cell with another man and all was OK.
‘But when he was told another inmate was joining them, he got very upset. He said he wasn’t putting up with it and caused a huge issue over it.
‘Eventually, prison staff were forced to concede,’ the source added.
‘Humphries did not even consider it’