Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Multi-Agency Public Protection
Arrangements
MAPPA
Shelley Scott
National Head of MAPPA - UK Ministry of Justice
Roy Ledingham
Police Lead for MAPPA - UK Ministry of Justice
Neil Prunnell
MAPPA Strategy Manager - Greater Manchester
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
1. Legislation
2. MAPPA Process
3. Lessons learnt for England / Wales
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
In the years leading up to 1997, following a number of high
profile cases of child abduction / murder …
The Sex Offenders Act 1997 …
was introduced
Introduced a National register of sex offenders / reporting
requirements
The Police - primary responsibility
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
In reality inconsistent and often flawed practice ..
Ineffective management of sexual and dangerous offenders, came to a
head for authorities throughout the UK, during the year 2000.
Public outrage over the lack of effective monitoring of Sexual
and Violent Offenders’ in some areas…. combined with
campaign following the murder of 8 year old Sarah Payne..
Forced the government to react rapidly and introduce
important changes to existing legislation.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
The PURPOSE Of MAPPA is …
To help to reduce the re-offending behavior
of sexual and violent offenders - in order to
protect the public, including previous
victims, from serious harm.
MAPPA Guidance (2009) Version 3.0, Section 1.2
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
The AIM of MAPPA is …
‘Ensure that all reasonable steps are taken
to reduce the likelihood of harm to the
public’.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
MAPPA Legislation And Guidance:
Criminal Justice and Court Services Act (2000)
Criminal Justice Act (2003)
• Introduction of MAPPA for all areas in England and Wales
Sexual Offences Act (2003)
•Notification for sexual offenders reinforced
•Length of notification period depends upon sentence
•Sex Offender Prevention Orders
•Foreign Travel Orders
•Notification orders for offenders coming from other countries
•Annual re notification
A Database for Sexual Offenders
VISOR
• VISOR is a securely encrypted web based software
application that holds the personal details on all
relevant Sex offenders in the UK.
• VISOR is a national database covering Scotland,
England, Northern Ireland and Wales and available to
police/ prison and probation
• It contains information on such things as DOB, NI
numbers, relationships, employment, hobbies,
address’s, foreign travel, pets, vehicles and so on.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Responsible Authority Agencies
PROBATION / POLICE / PRISON SERVICE
Duty to Co-operate Agencies
Youth Offending Teams
Mental Health / Health Agencies
Local Housing Authorities
Local Education Authorities
Social Services
Registered Social Landlords
Jobcentre Plus
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Who is managed through MAPPA ?
The 3 CATEGORIES of MAPPA Offender
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Registered
sexual offenders
Violent –
and (Received at
least 12 months
in custody and
on probation
license)
Other Dangerous
Offenders posing
risk of SERIOUS
harm
Subject of various
reporting
requirements under
(Sexual Offences Act
2003).
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
The MAPPA Process
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Identification
Information
Sharing
Information
Risk
Sharing
Assessment
Information
Risk
Sharing
Management
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Identification
This is critical to the whole process  Offenders cannot be managed unless correctly identified
as eligible
 Ensure there is clarity in what constitutes a MAPPA
offender
 Appropriate computer systems and admin resources are
essential
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Information Sharing
 Create a move away from a culture of agencies acting
alone and protecting ‘their information’
 Legislation needs to support proactive information
sharing between agencies.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Information Sharing Must:
• Have lawful authority
• Be necessary
• Be proportionate
• Ensure the safety and security of the information shared
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Risk Assessment
 There will always be too many offenders under
MAPPA to manage them all at an intensive level
 Risk Assessment is therefore crucial as the first
step in deciding at what level an offender needs to
be managed
 Risk assessment must be systematic
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Risk factors
•
STATIC
Factors which cannot change :
Previous convictions/behaviour
OGRS- based on static information
•
DYNAMIC Factors which can change :
Accommodation, employment,
drug/alcohol abuse,
emotional well being, health.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Static Risk Factors for Sexual Offenders
Risk Matrix 2000 is a joint risk assessment actuarial tool used by the
police and probation service for men 18 or over convicted of a sexual
offence
Seven static risk factors are measured
Number of Court appearances sentenced for a sexual offence
Age on release
Number of occasions sentenced for a criminal offence
Male victim
Stranger Victim
Non contact Sexual offence
Never lived with a partner for 2 years
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Dynamic Risk Factors for Sexual
Offenders - 4 Domains
1. Sexual Interests - sexual preoccupation/
preference for Children
2. Offence Supportive Attitudes - cognitive
distortions/ revenge and hostility
3. Management of relationships - Low self
esteem/ inadequacy/ lack of intimacy
4. Self - Management - irresponsible / impulsive
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Imminence levels - Risk of Serious Harm
Low
No significant current indicators of risk of serious
harm.
Medium
Identifiable risk of serious harm. Unlikely to cause
harm unless there is a change in circumstances
High
Identifiable indicators of risk of serious harm and
could occur at any time and the impact would be
serious
Very High
Imminent risk of serious harm and impact would be
serious.

Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Risk Management –
Restrictive

Police transport from prison
Restrict Employment

Increased police surveillance

Prison Licence conditions

Sex offender registration

Disclosure of information

Rehabilitation

Intensive change focus treatment

Supported accommodation

Employment and training

Mental health treatment

Circles of accountability
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
MAPPA - What we learnt in England and
Wales
 Early Involvement of prisons in MAPPA
 Recognise that police and probation staff are different
and need time to learn how to work together
 Be clear about what information can be shared with
other agencies
 Prioritise offenders carefully – ensure MAPPA used
appropriately and do not try to do too much
 Ensure consistency by developing a core group of
relevant agencies
 Ensure that risk management plans relate to the risks
indentified
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
MAPPA success in England and Wales

MAPPA provided the authority to exchange information

Agencies were more confident to manage risk as they were no
longer working in isolation or making critical decisions alone.

Experts from different agencies make important contributions to
overall plan
Notification process is vital to manage sexual offenders


MAPPA helps us to learn new skills and best practice from
each other

Risk assessments are more accurate - less mistakes

Support for disclosure decisions

Risk management more effective as relevant resources were
made available

Increased Public confidence
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
Shelley Scott
National Head of MAPPA - UK Ministry of Justice
shelley.scott@noms.gsi.gov.uk
Roy Ledingham
National Police lead for MAPPA - UK Ministry of Justice
roy.ledingham@noms.gsi.gov.uk
Neil Prunnell
MAPPA Strategy Manager - Greater Manchester Police
neil.prunnell@gmp.pnn.police.uk