BEDFORDSHIRE MULTI AGENCY PUBLIC PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS

ANNUAL REPORT 2009-10

CONTENTS

Section 1

Introduction The Director of Offender Management

Section 2

What is MAPPA? How does MAPPA work? Who are MAPPA eligible offenders? How are they managed? What is the role of the Strategic Management Board? How Multi Agency Public Protection Panels operate in A Typical MAPPA Level 3 Panel in Bedfordshire and the Agencies around the Table Example Case Studies

Section 3

Bedfordshire Police HM Bedfordshire Probation Trust Approved Premises The Role of Lay Advisor A View from a newly appointed Lay Advisor

Section 4

Statistical Information

Section 5

Contact Details

SECTION 1

Introductions

Bedfordshire’s MAPPA or Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements 9th Annual Report

The purpose of MAPPA is to assess Probation Trust. We have and manage the risk of sexual and concentrated on developing the victim violent offenders. MAPPA focus of our work and increasing the arrangements exist to ensure that involvement of victim liaison staff protection of the public is given the whilst having greater involvement with highest priority, with victim’s issues offenders held in custody. being central to effective operations. We acknowledge that the prevention 2009/10 was a significantly positive of further offending is not always year for MAPPA Bedfordshire, for possible, we are managing the most example there were no Serious dangerous offenders and risk can not Further Offences (SFOs) from the always be entirely eliminated. In order offenders subject to MAPPA risk to ensure arrangements work management plans. This success has Bedfordshire’s MAPPA is collaborating depended largely on the close working with other MAPPAs in the Eastern relationships between the Responsible Region to ensure robust practices are Authorities, the Police, Prison Service in place for reviewing cases where and Probation Trust and those there is an SFO, or a near miss. agencies that have a duty to co- operate. Regional collaboration ensures that there are resources available for a Close working relationships have thorough and objective review of developed over the last twelve months cases. with Health and Social Care agencies, Local Housing, MARAC (Multi Agency Further collaboration with the Child Risk Assessment Conference - which Exploitation and Online Protection has its focus in the risk management (CEOP) agency has led to a joint of Domestic Abuse perpetrators) and agency approach to stopping sexual Youth Offending Teams (YOTs ). Solid offending online and to track those working links have also been offenders committing crimes against maintained with Local Criminal Justice children when abroad. Bedfordshire Boards, Community Safety MAPPA has continued to utilise the Partnerships, Children’s Services and expertise of the CEOP particularly Local Safeguarding Children Boards, where offenders appear to be seeking resulting in joined up working to travel. processes that are functional, avoid duplication of work and identify where Even with our success rate there is no efforts are best deployed. room for complacency and the MAPPA Strategic Management Board (SMB) Alongside this approach MAPPA has are aware that the absence of a incorporated the learning across serious incident does not serve as an Criminal Justice services, from the evaluation strategy. recommendations of the external investigation into the case of Dano Monitoring, review and evaluation are Sonnex, a case supervised by London consistent practices to support

effective risk management and the proved invaluable in managing appointment of a voluntary Lay offenders both in the community and in Advisor for the Bedfordshire area will custodial settings. assist and support the SMB in reviewing functions. Welcome to The annual report for this financial Debbie Lewis-Brindley whose year considers the contributions made commitment to Bedfordshire’s MAPPA by all the responsible agencies with supports the communities she particular interest this year in represents. Approved Premises and the role they play within MAPPA, and the There have been many highlights and introduction of VOO’s and the Police’s focal points within the year, one of work in the introduction of Violent which is the recognition of the need for Offender Orders. work to be carried out with gang activity in the area. The report aims to give a fuller understanding the work that often MAPPA have a vital role to play in goes unnoticed in our communities. managing the highest risk gang offenders and responses have The MAPPA management team would included proactive Policing and setting like to thank all the co-operating up a dedicated Police team to monitor agencies for their support and and profile gang activity and share commitment this year in creating safer information with other responsible communities. agencies - a system that has already

Linda Hennigan Adrian Smith Gillian Parker Chief Officer Regional Manager Chief Constable Bedfordshire Custodial Services Bedfordshire Probation Trust HM Prison Service Police

The Director of Offender Management Perspective

Trevor Williams, the Director of Offender Management for the East of

In introducing the MAPPA annual We have successfully filled the post report last year, I stressed my belief of regional public protection officer that MAPPA lies at the heart of what which has allowed us to take a more the National Offender Management detailed look at the challenges we face Service (NOMS) does, as public in delivering the actions mandated by protection, reducing re-offending and the revised MAPPA Guidance and this effective partnership working were all has informed decisions for the coming key aims of the agency. We focused year. Additional funds have, as a on four key areas during 2009/10: consequence, been allocated from the regional budget to assist the • Promoting and giving priority to functioning of MAPPA SMBs across safeguarding children. the region. Funding has also been • Implementing the recommendation contributed to support a regional from the external investigation into approach to Serious Case Reviews. the case of Dano Sonnex. As a consequence of the Sonnex • Further developing the victim focus case, Probation Areas were required of MAPPA work where necessary. to give regular assurances that resources were being effectively • Achieving greater prison targeted at the highest risk cases and involvement in MAPPA work. these returns are being scrutinised at a regional level. During 2009/10 I took an active interest in the developments of MAPPA, not least in my role as Following the completion of HMIP's commissioner of offender second round of Offender management services from two of the Management Inspections direct work responsible authorities: and with victims was generally found to be probation. I very much welcomed the an area of strength in the region. continued commitment of MAPPA However five of the six Probation Strategic Management Boards (SMBs) Areas were recommended to continue to ensure effective information to attend to the perspectives and exchange and joint risk management concerns of victims in work with of cases where the risk of serious offenders so this featured prominently further offending was high and valued in a regional workshop to progress the recommendations and the action plans the work of the regional public protection group chaired by Probation. Trusts have put in place.

A member of my commissioning team I have placed a particular focus on the was tasked with strengthening prison implementation of ViSOR over the last practice in relation to safeguarding year to ensure that this valuable children and we have now developed information exchange mechanism is the role of the public protection leads being used properly and to its full in every prison in the region and will potential. Following recent diagnostic be providing them with specific work plans are in place to improve the safeguarding training. use of ViSOR in both the prison and probation settings during 2010/11.

We have also been focusing at a endeavour locally. My focus for the regional level on the risks and needs coming year will thus be on: of indeterminate sentenced prisoners and promoting initiatives to ensure that • Developing the capacity to their sentences are planned as conduct independent and effectively as possible to permit well effective serious case reviews managed release under supervision to assist all MAPPA partners in where appropriate. The support of learning lessons from those MAPPA in this regard is appreciated. cases in the event of re- offending by offenders posing a The new financial year has brought risk of serious harm to the significant changes: we have a new public. Government and ministerial team in the Ministry of Justice; our six • Continuing to embed ViSOR probation areas have become five into routine probation and Trusts; and cost saving is an ever prison operations. more significant priority. In this climate, local multi-agency • Encouraging development to collaboration makes even more sense. ensure that, in the highest risk I am therefore determined to do what I cases, the MAPPA processes can to ensure that the relevant facilitate the commitment of the agencies are empowered to play a full necessary expertise and part in MAPPA and will be looking for resources across all agencies. models of good practice in this

SECTION 2

What is MAPPA?

• MAPPA are a set of arrangements landlords, Jobcentre Plus, and to manage the risk posed by electronic monitoring providers. certain sexual and violent offenders. They bring together the • The purposes of MAPPA are: Police, Probation and Prison Services in Bedfordshire into what - to ensure more comprehensive is known as the MAPPA risk assessments are Responsible Authority. completed, taking advantage of co-ordinated information • A number of other agencies are sharing across the agencies; under a duty to co-operate with the and Responsible Authority. These include: Children’s Services, Adult - to direct the available Social Services, Health Trusts and resources to best protect the Authorities, Youth Offending public from serious harm. Teams, local housing authorities and certain registered social

How does MAPPA work?

• Offenders eligible for MAPPA are agency or agencies with identified and information is supervisory responsibility. A gathered/shared about them number of offenders, though, across relevant agencies. The require active multi-agency nature and level of the risk of harm management and their risk they pose is assessed and a risk management plans will be management plan is implemented formulated and monitored via to protect the public. MAPP meetings attended by various agencies. • In most cases, the offender will be managed under the ordinary arrangements applied by the

Who are MAPPA-eligible offenders?

There are three categories of offender orders. This category also includes a eligible for MAPPA: small number of sexual offenders who do not qualify for registration and Category 1 - Registered sexual offenders disqualified from working offenders: Sexual offenders who are with children; and required to notify the police of their name, address and other personal Category 3 - Other Dangerous details and notify the Police of any Offenders: Offenders who do not subsequent changes; qualify under categories 1 or 2 but who currently pose a risk of serious harm, Category 2 - Violent offenders: there is a link between the offending Offenders sentenced to and the risk posed, and they require imprisonment/detention for 12 months active multi-agency management. or more, or detained under hospital

How are they managed?

There are three levels at which Level 2 - Active Multi-agency offenders are managed which are Management: The risk management based upon the level of multi-agency plans for these offenders require the co-operation required to implement the active involvement of several agencies risk management plan effectively. via regular multi-agency public Offenders will be moved up and down protection (MAPP) meetings. levels as appropriate: Level 3 - Active Multi-agency

Management: As with level 2 but Level 1 - Ordinary Management: these cases additionally require the These offenders are subject to the involvement of senior officers to usual management arrangements authorise the use of special resources, applied by whichever agency is such as police surveillance or supervising them. But this does not specialised accommodation, and/or to rule out information sharing between provide ongoing senior management agencies, via ViSOR and other routes. oversight.

What is the role of the Strategic Management Board?

Senior representatives of each of the any necessary improvements. Contact agencies involved in MAPPA form a details for the members of Strategic Management Board (SMB) Bedfordshire’s SMB three lead which meets at least quarterly to agencies are given at the back of the monitor the arrangements and direct Annual Report.

How Multi-Agency Public Protection Panels Operate in Bedfordshire

How does MAPPA operate locally?

MAPPA in Bedfordshire is essentially then devised for those cases that need a series of meetings involving management through the MAPPA. professionals who attend as core members and some who attend only Local working arrangements of for a case that they are directly MAPPA might best be shown by an involved with. All agencies sign up to explanation of the role of the MAPPA an information sharing protocol which Coordinator, the make up of a typical allows for a full exchange of MAPPA panel and some example information and an assessment of the case studies. The example cases are Risk of Harm that a particular offender representative of the sorts of issues presents. A Risk Management Plan is that MAPPA deals with and the Risk Management plans it makes .

The Role of the MAPPA Co-ordinator

The MAPPA Co-ordinator’s role is to attending meetings. The Co-ordinator be aware of all the cases in must ensure that everything that can Bedfordshire that qualify for be done to manage the Risk of Harm consideration by MAPPA panels and presented by offenders is done, cases to take referrals from all the agencies. are reviewed and agencies attend The Co-ordinator decides if cases meetings when they are invited and require a meeting and in Bedfordshire complete agreed actions. all Level two meetings are chaired by the Co-ordinator. Level three meetings The Co-ordinator reports quarterly to are chaired by an Assistant Chief the Strategic Board providing Probation Officer, or Senior Police information that enables the SMB to Officer, with the Co-ordinator present monitor MAPPA arrangements for to advise the chair. managing dangerous offenders in Bedfordshire to ensure they are both The role of the Co-ordinator is not to effective and in line with the national take over the function of agencies guidance

A Typical MAPPA Level 3 Panel in Bedfordshire and the Agencies around the table

Assistance Chief Probation Officer

Public Protection

Health Representatives MAPPA Manager There may be two decision- makers for resources/decisions relating to mental health, disability, general health etc. Senior Police Officer with strategic lead on public protection Prison Representative

MAPPA Administrator

Senior Police Officer From local police area with responsibility for intelligence Victim Liaison Officer (VLO) (Probation led). Only Police Sex Offender attends if there is an Manager identified victim and the For a registered sex offender panel needs more in the community, or on information. release

Approved Premises Social Care Manager A senior manager representing (Probation) one of the following areas: child Has responsibility for protection, vulnerable adults, decisions relating to families, learning disabilities Approved Premises

Forensic Psychologist If a report is commissioned on a offender Senior Probation Officer In charge of day-to-day management of the local area’s MAPPA cases and line management of the Probation Probation Officer Local Housing Manager Officer If the offender is under probation Senior Manager who can assist supervision and/or licence, then in decisions for accommodation this person is the day-to-day on release from prison or after a ‘offender manager’ period of residency in an Approved Premises

Example Case Studies

Case Study One – James, 42 year old sex offender

James is a 42 year old man who was work with the prison psychology convicted of a rape against an adult department he was released back to female. James received a 12 year the Approved Premises. He eventually custodial sentence but during his completed a long stay in Approved sentence he was transferred to Premises, complied with his licence hospital for treatment under the Mental conditions and was moved on to Health Act. Just prior to his release he supported accommodation which had was transferred back to Prison and close links with mental health services was released on a post custody and where he could reside with a licence. His licence conditions required relatively high level of monitoring him to live in Approved Premises (a beyond the end of his licence period. Probation Hostel) and to cooperate with treatment offered by local mental He made no attempt to approach a health services. Without taking the female or form any relationships whilst appropriate medication mental health MAPPA was managing his case and services were clear to MAPPA that on his second release from custody he James would become unstable and continues to take medication, remains that his risk to adult females would closely monitored by mental health increase and become unmanageable. services and would be returned to hospital should he revert to non During the course of his first release compliance. from custody James refused to take his medication and was recalled to custody by the Probation Service as he was in breach of his post custody license condition to co-operate with mental health services. James was swiftly transferred to hospital after recall and his medication stabilised. During ward rounds in hospital, Police, Probation and mental health workers all convinced James of the importance of taking his medication. He was eventually stabilised and returned to prison.

After a significant period in custody and after doing more offence focused

Case Study Two – Joan, 35 years old and violent

Joan is a 35 year old female who had a history of assaults against was convicted of a serious assault partners and most of her offending with a knife on a male with whom was committed whilst she was under she had been in a relationship. She

the influence of drugs. Her partners became clear that both her drug were usually drug misusers. dependency and violence had its roots in her response to being a The MAPPA panel was particularly victim. concerned that any involvement with drug agencies would bring her into The MAPPA meetings discussed contact with her ‘target group of openly the approach all vulnerable males with drug problems professionals should take whilst who would be at risk of assault working with Joan. The meeting was should they form a relationship with clear that Joan should be Joan. Through the meeting it was encouraged to understand her past made possible for her to access all but not see her own victimisation as the relevant services without an excuse for her offending. attending at times when she would Through close collaboration all be with other drug users, or by agencies were able to both focus on workers seeing her at the all female Joan’s history as a victim, whilst at Approved Premises, where she was the same time encouraging her to placed. take responsibility for her own offending and violence. Joan was assessed as having a severe personality disorder during Joan progressed enough to be able the course of the custodial part of to leave Approved Premises and live her sentence. She was assessed by in her own accommodation. She has prison psychologists and the work not yet completed her post custody they began was continued after her licence, but has not reoffended and release by a Psychologist based in is co-operating with the agencies the community. Joan’s family history working with her. She has been of being the victim of domestic tested for drug use since her release abuse was uncovered by the from custody and has not returned professionals working with her and it to using illegal substances.

Case Study Three – Abbey: a victim’s story

Abbey is 26 and she has been in two guilty of the sexual assault and abusive relationships over the last ten received a three year sentence for the years. Her last partner, John, was violent assault. accused of raping her and of a serious violent assault against her before Abbey had been involved with the being convicted. He was found not Domestic Abuse Police and her case had been discussed at the MARAC prior to John being convicted, but Abbey had not wished to end the relationship. She told Police that she felt safer knowing where John was and she felt that she was less likely to be assaulted if she didn’t try to end the relationship. Whilst the Police tried to advise her that this wasn’t a safe long term strategy she had made up her mind.

John was referred to MAPPA and was released to Approved Premises with

strict reporting conditions and a see the Women’s Safety Officer condition not to contact Abbey, or go (WSO). to her address, even though Abbey did not wish to have this condition. It was The women’s safety officer, whilst not felt that this condition was justified directly asking Abbey to leave John, given the risk John posed to her. talked to her in general terms about the research into domestic abuse During the first month of his release which explores the patterns of abuse John tried to contact Abbey and was and the psychology behind both overheard by staff at the hostel making perpetrators of domestic violence and threats to her and as a consequence victims. In the course of these he was recalled to prison. John had discussions, and discussions with the been on a condition to complete a Police, Abbey decided that she had domestic violence programme and as had enough of being a victim and part of that programme the women’s wanted to finish the relationship. She safety worker would offer Abbey wrote to John in Prison asking him not contact to discuss John’s progress on to contact her again. She obtained a the programme and to give Abbey civil order which prohibited him for safety advice. Abbey had not taken up contacting her. Housing agencies, the offer of contact with the women’s through the MAPPA and MARAC, safety officer (WSO) but after John assisted her in moving to an address was recalled to prison she asked to John does not know

If this is true there is more work for John remains in prison and will be MAPPA when John is next released to released next year, but to date he has protect any new partners, but the signs not tried to contact Abbey. He has told for Abbey are that by standing up to his probation officer that he will not John and taking up the assistance contact her. John has committed from the authorities she has violent offences against three previous discouraged John from continuing to partners and his probation officer abuse her. It is encouraging that she suspects that John may feel that it has told the women’s safety worker would be easier to let Abbey go and that if she is abused by any partner in find someone else to abuse when his future she will go straight to the Police, licence has finished. end the relationship and use all she has learnt to protect herself.

SECTION 3

Developments in Bedfordshire 2009-10

Bedfordshire Police

This reporting period has seen a for relevant sexual offences. The team period of investment in staff training has been successful in obtaining a and consolidation of working practices number of Sexual Offences Prevention for Bedfordshire Police in relation to Orders during the reporting period by the supervision and management of identifying the risk to the public posed Registered Sex Offenders. by certain individuals. These orders are then effectively ‘policed’ in order to Bedfordshire Police will be increasing more effectively reduce the risk posed. the establishment of the dedicated Sex Offender Management Team (SOMT) from 1 st July 2010, making the establishment for the unit six constables and two police staff ‘Managers’. This will reduce the number of Registered Sex Offenders being managed by individuals and ensure more robust and effective management processes and structures are implemented.

The redeployment of the managers in line with the three local authority boundaries has created closer working relationships with partner agencies, in particular Children’s Social Care, when dealing with individuals who pose a significant risk to children.

The team has seen a significant There has been a significant amount increase in the frequency of visits to of investment in training the Sex Registered Sex Offenders during the Offender Management Team in latter part of 2009. This increase accredited risk assessment processes brings Bedfordshire in line with and professional development courses national guidance developed by the provided by the Child Exploitation & National Policing Improvement Agency Online Protection Team and the and has resulted in more effective risk Metropolitan Police Service. One identification, risk assessment and risk member of the team is now a qualified management processes. trainer in accredited risk assessment processes. Bedfordshire Police continues to pro- actively pursue preventative civil Bedfordshire Police continues to utilise orders where appropriate and to the ViSOR system in collaboration with provide specialist advice and guidance the Probation Service in order to to other officers dealing with offenders manage and monitor Registered Sex Offenders. This provides a 24 hour

capability within Bedfordshire through Future plans for the Sex Offender the Central Intelligence Bureau, who Management Team include developing are able to access intelligence which is the existing relationships with partners made available to law enforcement and other police resources to gather agencies on a national basis. appropriate intelligence in order to pro- actively target individuals who pose the greatest risk.

ViSOR – Violent and Sex Offender Register

ViSOR is an IT system for the Probation - are able to work on the management of people who pose a same IT system which enables the serious risk of harm to the public. sharing of risk assessments and risk Since implementation of ViSOR the management information on individual three MAPPA Responsible Authority violent and sex offenders in a timely agencies - Police, Prison and way to reduce re-offending.

Violent Offender Orders

Violent Offender Orders were created If the above conditions prevail, the within the Criminal Justice and offender is known as a ‘qualifying Immigration Act 2008 (Sections 98 to offender.’ 117) which came into force on 03.08.2009. Strict qualifying criteria If a qualifying offender has acted or applies to offenders, namely: - behaved in a way that indicates they Offender has to be over the age of 18, pose a risk of serious violent harm and convicted in England or Wales and that a Violent Offender Order is now has been sentenced to at least 12 necessary then an application should months imprisonment (includes be made. offences resulting in hospital orders and those found not guilty by reason of Only the Police can make an insanity) for an offence of GBH, GBH application for a Violent Offender with intent, Manslaughter, attempting/ Order, application is made to local conspiring to/soliciting Murder or an Magistrates Courts. An interim order equivalent offence abroad. Qualifying can be applied for, which is then offences do not include the offence of reinforced by a full order with duration Murder itself. of 2–5 years. A Violent Offender Order is a civil preventative order with a criminal standard of proof. Breach of a Violent Offender Order ‘without reasonable excuse’ is punishable with up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine. Breaches are prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution service.

A Violent Offender Order can only come into force after statutory licence conditions have expired.

A Violent Offender order contains prescriptive conditions in the form of

prohibitions on the offender which can with the Police within three days of the only be : From going to any specified order being granted, notify change of premises or any other specified place details, make annual re-notification, (whether at all, or at or between any weekly notification if ‘No Fixed Abode’, specified time or times), from attending and foreign travel notification. any specified event , from having any, or any specified description of, contact Violent offender orders are prepared with any specified individual. Once a and obtained by the Police solicitor in Violent Offender Order has been conjunction with an officer who has a granted, the offender is subject to the comprehensive knowledge of the following notification requirements for offender concerned. the duration of the order: To register

HM Prison Bedford

This reporting year has seen many the system, this information can be improvements throughout the Prison easily accessed at any stage of that Service in relation to both MAPPA and offenders custodial journey. This may public protection in general. include information that is vital to the MAPPA process. The implementation of ViSOR throughout the Prison Service, along with mandatory requirements for its use, as outlined in Prison Service Instruction 27/2009, has meant that vital prison intelligence relating to the most dangerous offenders held in custody can be communicated securely to our colleagues within the Police and Probation services, in an attempt to prevent further crime and to keep our communities safe.

The Prison Service has also been subject to a major business change over the last year in the form of a new IT system, Prison National Offender At a more local level, HMP Bedford Management IT System (P-NOMIS). continues to support MAPPA by P-NOMIS is an offender database that providing a single point of contact for has replaced our outdated legacy all MAPPA enquiries and to attend version. The theory behind the system local panel meetings for and is that an offender will be given a Bedford. All offenders who fall under NOMIS number on initial reception to MAPPA are identified upon initial custody and that same number will reception to custody, or via the follow him/her throughout their various MAPPA co-ordinator, and flagged on periods in custody, in contrast to the NOMIS, meaning that as an offender previous system of having a different moves throughout the prison system, number on each prison sentence. each establishment is aware of their This ensures that that wherever MAPPA status, allowing them to put intelligence, ranging from a personal measures in place immediately. description of the offender to his behaviour on the wing, is entered onto

providing valuable intelligence to feed into the MAPPA process.

The Internal Risk Management Team (IRMT), a team made up of various personnel based at HMP Bedford, continue to meet every week to discuss the most dangerous and disruptive offenders in our custody and how to manage them. More recently, a member of the CPN team has joined this panel, providing a perspective from the Mental Health side, which has proved to be very useful. At this meeting, all offenders In addition, all offenders that fall under under MAPPA level 2 and 3 are MAPPA have 100% of their discussed and any significant communications monitored for the first information is forwarded to MAPPA in month that they are in custody, the community.

Bedfordshire Probation Trust Approved Premises

Women’s Approved Premises

In 2007, Bedford Approved Premises at Level 2 or 3. Because of the unique converted from being a mixed gender nature of AP’s, whereby staff see and provision to being an all female hear so much more than the Offender provision. This means, that unlike the Managers, they are able to make all male Approved Premises’, we can valuable contributions to the process offer places to offenders who pose a of managing risk as they have a lower risk of harm to others, as long as wealth of information and observations there is evidence that there is a and experience of the individual suitable needs profile that is not solely offenders. about accommodation, and in the case of bailees, that their offence crosses the custody threshold. Having said that, at 1 July 2010, the resident group, which numbered 16, was made up as can be seen below, and demonstrates that we do accommodate high risk cases who need to be managed using a multi- agency approach.

MAPPA Level 1 8 MAPPA Level 2 6 MAPPA Level 3 2

Staff at Bedford Approved Premises Magda Nichols - Women’s Approved attend MAPPA meetings for those Premises Manager residents who are assessed as being

It is worth noting, that women who women suffer from these come into the criminal justice system disorders. often have multiple issues or needs • Half of the women in prison are on associated with pregnancy and prescribed medication such as childcare, have experiences of sexual anti-depressants or anti-psychotic and physical abuse, suffer from poor medicine and there is evidence physical and mental well-being. that the use of medication Almost one in five women prisoners increases whilst in custody. had spent time as an in-patient in a mental or psychiatric ward and as It is evident from this, that not only are many as 40% reported receiving help women offenders far more complex or treatment for a mental or emotional than their male counterparts, but they problems in the year before coming are also far more vulnerable. So, into prison. when working within the Multi-Agency arena, this vulnerability also has to be From OASys we also know that 59% considered in order to ensure that the of women offenders (compared with women are not exploited in any way, 37% of males) have identified needs in including the commission of any relation to their emotional well-being. further offences, and are kept safe Women offenders may be more likely from any personal harm. Where there than men to disclose mental health is an identified high, or very high risk issues such as anorexia/bulimia, self- of harm, to others the Approved mutilation and self-harm, attempted Premises can provide an enhanced suicide and cutting. level of monitoring via curfews, HDC, instructions to report to Hostel staff at Statistics reveal that: regular intervals, room searches, drug • Two-thirds of women in custody and alcohol testing, monitoring of show symptoms of at least one movements and associations with neurotic disorder such as others. By acting on what we see and depression, anxiety and phobias. hear, liaising with Police intelligence, • More than half are suffering from a the Offender Manager and the personality disorder. By MAPPA co-ordinator, we can as a comparison among the general team, put risk management strategies population less than a fifth of in place in order to minimise the risk of harm to others as well as themselves.

Luton Approved Premises

Luton Approved Premises (LAP) is a 20 bed hostel that accommodates men who are assessed as posing a high or very high risk of harm, the majority of whom are supervised on licence having been released from prison. Staff at the AP work closely with Offender Managers to deliver structured interventions, including one-to-one key working, and contribute to the delivery of risk management plans agreed within the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). Debra Andrews – Luton Approved Premises Manager

Whilst there are occasions when we custody, our ultimate aim is to support have to contribute to the enforcement and prepare offenders to move on to of licences and seek a recall to suitable accommodation.

The Role of the Lay Advisor

The Responsible Authority is required work might not think of asking. They to appoint two lay advisers to sit on the also bring to the SMB their SMB. The lay advisers act as understanding and perspective of the independent yet informed observers; local community, where they must able to pose questions which the reside or have strong local links. professionals closely involved in the

“A View from a Newly Appointed Lay Advisor”

MAPPA addresses principles regarding the release and supervision of violent and sexual offenders. My role is to put the perspective and concerns of the public, to put a “common sense” view to strategic management level. I act outside the professional circle, with limited knowledge of formal criminal justice processes, as an individual.

If previously and potentially dangerous prisoners (male and female) can be properly supervised and monitored at their release, on licence, this reduces the possibility of re offending. Being left without management puts the vulnerable, including previous victims, at risk of harm. Good teamwork and communication makes for a system Debbie Lewis-Brindley with frequent opportunities to identify Lay Advisor and minimise future risks to the wider community. The team, concerned with each I have been able to observe at two individual offender (one of many at any MAPP panel meetings (when one time), attend only that part of the individual offenders are discussed). meeting which is concerned with the The progress of the individual is offender of their responsibility; this examined and appropriate changes of minimises time used by each category of concern (levels) and professional and is an efficient system. requirements to protect the public are considered. These meetings are held Strategic board meetings are held frequently, across the county, and quarterly. At these meetings I individuals are discussed at regular contribute by representing the public, intervals, set more and more in an independent manner, raising frequently should concerns be raised. general concerns and asking questions that may not have been considered by the professionals, my

participation being partly informed by and others who represent the observations at the MAPP meetings. vulnerable, such as child protection agencies. Since I was appointed I have attended three strategic management boards On occasions presentations are made and have been impressed with the by different organisations to ensure input of a multi-professional team that the panel is up to date on legal and attends. other appropriate issues.

This team has included not only, Until recently I was unaware of the police/prison/probation forces but also processes and how these quietly and hostel managers, housing, health care positively impact upon our community. providers, social and youth workers These work well in Bedfordshire and we should all have confidence in the systems in place.

SECTION 4

MAPPA STATISTICAL INFORMATION 2009/10

Number of MAPPA eligible offenders at 31 March 2010

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TOTAL

Category 1: 342 13 2 357 Registered Sexual Offenders Category 2: 117 32 4 153 Violent offenders Category 3: - 4 0 4 Other Dangerous Offenders

Enforcement for offenders managed via MAPP meetings

Returned to custody for breach of licence: • Level 2 = 15 • Level 3 = 5 • Total = 20

Sent to custody for breach of Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO): • Level 2 = 0 • Level 3 = 0 • Total = 0 Further data on Registered Sexual Offenders

Registered Sexual Offenders in: • BCU 1( Bedfordshire excluding Luton) = 243 • BCU 2 (Luton) = 114

Total number of registered sexual offenders in Bedfordshire per 100,000 head of population • 67.84 (This figure has been calculated using the 2009 Mid-Year Population Estimate published by the Office for National Statistics on 24 June 2010, excluding those aged less than ten years of age. It is not directly comparable to figures published in previous years.)

Registered Sexual Offenders cautioned or convicted for breach of notification requirements • 9

Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (SOPOs): • Applied for = 0 • Interim Order issued = 2 • Full Order issued = 27

Notification Orders: • Applied for = 0 • Interim Order issued = 0 • Full Order issued = 0

Foreign Travel Orders • Applied for = 0 • Interim Order issued = 0 • Full Order issued = 0

Explanation/Commentary

The totals of MAPPA eligible violent offences and/or currently offenders, broken down by pose a risk of serious harm, category, reflects the picture on 31 although the majority are actually March 2010, (i.e. a snapshot). The managed under ordinary agency rest of the data covers the period 1 (Level 1) arrangements rather than April 2009 and 31 March 2010. via MAPP meetings.

MAPPA eligible offenders - there Registered Sexual Offenders are a number of offenders defined (RSOs) - those who are required in law as eligible for MAPPA to notify the police of their name, management, because they have address and other personal details committed specified sexual and and notify any changes

subsequently. Failure to comply an SOPO at the time of dealing with the notification requirements is with certain sexual offenders or a criminal offence which carries a when the police make a special maximum penalty of 5 years’ application on account of the imprisonment. offender’s behaviour in the community. The full order lasts for Violent Offenders – this category a minimum of 5 years, and can last includes violent offenders indefinitely. A SOPO will require sentenced to imprisonment / the subject to register as a sexual detention for 12 months or more, or offender and can include detained under hospital orders. It conditions, for example to prevent also includes a small number of the offender loitering near schools sexual offenders who do not qualify or playgrounds. If the offender fails for registration and offenders to comply with (i.e. breaches ) the disqualified from working with requirements of the order, he can children. be taken back to court and may be liable to up to 5 years’ Other Offenders – offenders who imprisonment. do not qualify under the other two MAPPA eligible categories, but Notification Order – requires who currently pose a risk of serious sexual offenders who have been harm which requires management convicted overseas to register with via MAPP meetings. police, in order to protect the public in the UK from the risks that they Breach of licence - Offenders pose. Police may apply to the released into the community court for the order in relation to following a period of imprisonment offenders in or intending to come to of 12 months or more will be the UK. subject to a licence with conditions (under probation supervision). If Foreign Travel Orders - prevent these conditions are not complied offenders with convictions for with, breach action will be taken sexual offences against children and the offender may be recalled to from traveling abroad where it is prison. necessary to do so to protect Sexual Offences Prevention children from the risk of sexual Order (SOPO) - a court may make harm.

SECTION 5

CONTACT INFORMATION

BEDFORDSHIRE PROBATION AREA:

Emma Osborne Bedfordshire Probation Area Assistant Chief Officer Head Office 01234 213541 3 St peter’s Street Bedford MK40 2PN

Chris DeSouza Bedfordshire Probation Area MAPPA Co-ordinator MAPPA Unit 01234 358978 Saxon Centre, First Floor 230 Bedford Road Kempston Bedford MK42 8PP

BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE:

John Fletcher Bedfordshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Police Headquarters 01234 846996 Woburn Road Kempston Bedford MK43 9AX

Force Co-ordinator Sex & Dangerous Offenders Unit 01234 842343 Bedfordshire Police Police Headquarters Woburn Road Kempston Bedford MK43 9AX

HM PRISON BEDFORD :

Roy Stevenson HMP Bedford Deputy Governor St Loyes 01234 373002 Bedford MK40 2PN

Louise Collins HMP Bedford Offender Management Unit Manager St Loyes 01234 373006 Bedford MK40 2PN