Making our communities safer and reducing re-offending is our highest priority and one of our biggest challenges. That is why the work undertaken through MAPPA is so important. The supervision and management of sexual and violent offenders who pose the highest risk of serious harm, whether in the community or in custody, is complex and challenging, and is an aspect of public service where the public rightly expects all reasonable action to be taken.
MAPPA was introduced in 2001 as a statutory duty on the Police, Probation Service and from 2003, the Prison Service. They require that offenders falling into three categories are subject to oversight:
- Offenders who have committed a sexual offence that requires them to register their details with the Police.
- Offenders who have been convicted of a sexual or violent offence and been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more.
Any other offender with a current or past conviction for a sexual or violent offence whose behaviour gives rise for concern.
MAPPA ensure that concerns about any offender in the community can be shared between relevant agencies. Any agency involved in MAPPA can raise cases for consideration, but usually it is Probation or Police who do – when an offender is due to be released from prison, is sentenced for a serious offence, or moves into the area.
The three lead agencies in MAPPA are the Police, Probation and Prison services. The key function of MAPPA is to ensure that the efforts of these three Criminal Justice Agencies are well co-ordinated so that any changes in the assessed risk of harm is monitored and a preventative plan is put in place to protect the public and prevent further victims.
Through MAPPA the effort of other agencies involved in working with an offender are brought together.
MAPPA Annual Report 2006/07 (PDF download 541kb)
