Sex crime fear as jail treatments slashed

“monster mansion” because it houses some of the country’s sickest cons, including April Jones’s killer Mark Bridger, 48.

The cuts come at a time when the prison population of sex offenders is soaring. They make up about 15% of the total 85,582 behind bars.

Average sentences for sex crimes have risen from 40 months to 59.

The situation has become so serious that sex offenders are waiting years or being released without treatment, inspectors said earlier this year.

However, campaigners have questioned the value of jail programmes.

They claim victims’ needs are being sidelined in favour of pampering rapists and paedophiles.

Some of the courses include modules in “gelling” to help cons’ relationships with others. Another is called “managing my sexy thinking”.

National Victims’ Association founder David Hines, said: “Many offenders will never be cured yet the Government spends millions on treatment.

“Most are evil – they’ve had their chances. As far as I’m concerned it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Peter Cuthbertson, director of the Centre for Crime Prevention think tank, called for longer jail sentences for perverts. He said: “Money for rehabilitation programmes is less important than making sure offenders get a long sentence, protecting the public for as long as possible.”

A spokesman for the MoJ said the Criminal Justice and Courts bill, currently going through the UK parliament, will end the automatic early release for the most serious violent and sexual offenders.

Prisons Minister Jeremy Wright said: “This Government takes the management of sex offenders in prison seriously. There has been no cut in funding for their treatment.”