Independent review of statutory multi-agency public protection arrangements: Terms of reference
Updated 17 December 2020
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1. Purpose
The purpose of this independent review is to examine the effectiveness of the statutory Multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) when it comes to management of TACT and TACT-related offenders, offenders who have been identified as being of terrorism concern, and those who are assessed to be engaging in terrorism-related activity within the Prison Estate (‘the cohort’).
2. Objectives
The review will make recommendations to strengthen the operation of the entire MAPPA framework for managing this cohort of offenders. These recommendations may include the need for new powers in primary legislation, as well the introduction of new tools or interventions to supplement or replace existing ones. The reviewer will have access to information as is necessary to complete the review.
When it comes to managing the cohort, the review will consider the following:
- Is MAPPA achieving its objective, to effectively assess and manage the risk posed by the cohort
- How does MAPPA fit into existing national CT management
- Does MAPPA link into the CT architecture effectively? Is information sharing with wider partners (e.g. local authorities and NHS) appropriate to prevent risk escalation
- Are the individual roles and responsibilities of MAPPA agencies clear and appropriate
- Are the correct partners engaged with the process and are they resourced accordingly
- Do partners have the right levers and powers to undertake their roles
- Does MAPPA have the right tools and processes to assess the risks of reconviction, reoffending, and serious harm
- Is MAPPA sufficiently responsive to differences in individual risks/needs
- How effectively does MAPPA support the use of rehabilitative tools and interventions as part of risk management plans; and
- Do the MAPPA agencies use new technology and do they need other sources of information (for example, from mandatory polygraph testing)
- Does MAPPA need enhanced confidentiality to ensure the sharing of information and intelligence – so that records and minutes of meetings do not have to be disclosed where it is deemed not safe to do so
Additionally, the review will consider:
- How effective is the process connecting case management arrangements and MAPPA; how does it interact with other safeguarding and vulnerability strategies, and what are the critical dependencies and common threads
- Is information on the conduct of individuals while in prison shared effectively
- Do agencies working within MAPPA have suitable tools to manage mentally-disordered offenders (including restricted patients) who have been radicalised
- What should the Government consider in the development of MAPPA processes over the next 5 years, as the CT threat evolves, in order to most effectively prevent reengagement with terrorism and terrorism-related activity amongst the cohort.
3. Outputs
The Reviewer should provide recommendations on improvements to MAPPA. Any recommendations should be evidence-based and proportionate, with consideration given to their implementation. The Reviewer will have access to classified information in order to inform their recommendations.
The Reviewer will provide a report to the Home Secretary and Justice Secretary for publication. A classified annex may be produced alongside the report for publication, if it is necessary to refer to classified information. As the review progresses any issues flagged by the Reviewer which can be implemented quickly will be taken forward and not delayed until the publication of the report.
4. Scope
The review will apply to England and Wales. It will not be concerned with individual operational decisions except in so far as these are illustrative of the wider structural questions outlined above. This review should consider and examine existing material and tools.
This review will be distinct but complementary to any ongoing work including the Multi Agency Case Review and the current HMPSS Reviews of MAPPA Level 1. The Reviewer may also wish to look to other jurisdictions and across similar fields so that further challenge and lessons learnt can be fed into this review where appropriate.
The report, including any recommendations of the review, must be submitted to the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Justice.