Author: George Sparks

What does MAPPA mean?

The Criminal Justice Act 2003 led to the establishment of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements MAPPA in each criminal justice area of England and Wales. MAPPA is designed to protect the public, including previous victims of crime, from serious harm by sexual and violent offenders. They require the local criminal justice agencies and other bodies dealing with offenders to work together in partnership in dealing with these offenders.

MAPPA—Agencies responsibilities.

The Responsible Authorities for MAPPA are the Police, Prison Service & National Probation Service. They have a duty to ensure that the risks posed by specified sexual and violent offenders are assessed and managed appropriately.
Duty to co-operate agencies support MAPPA. These include Social Care ,Health, Housing, DWP & Home Office Immigration Enforcement.

MAPPA

How can you help with managing MAPPA offenders?

Check NICHE flags and update offender managers & NPS of any arrests/charges/stop checks.
Check PNC for licence conditions and update NPS of any breaches of licence so that NPS can consider recall to prison.
Monitor risks for children and vulnerable people in contact with MAPPA offenders.
Assist in risk planning at MAPPA meetings if you are invited to attend.

What happens at a Level 2 & 3 MAPPA meeting?

MAPPA L2 & L3 Panel meetings manage offenders across the force area :-
Risk management plans identified
Information shared
Disclosure considered to manage risk
Actions allocated to agency professionals
Risks identified & recorded in detailed minutes
Cases are often reviewed 4-8 weeks later and agencies held to account for actions.

Integrated Offender Manager Home Page - Pocket Book.
MAPPA & VISOR Team HQ—01278 646356
MAPPA Co-ordinator Mike Williams - 01278 646356 or 07889 /657677
MAPPA & VISOR Detective Sergeant Andy Fox - 07889659961
VISOR Desk HQ - 01278 644190
Somerset SPOC DCI Elizabeth Hughes - 01278 644183/ 07802874281

MAPPA Offenders must be identified under certain
categories.

Cat 1—Registered Sex Offenders .
Cat 2– Violent or other sex offenders sentenced to 12 months or more in custody or to hospital order (Specific offences– Schedule 15 CJA 2003).
Cat 3 - Other Dangerous offenders -Cautioned/warned/convicted for an offence who demonstrate capability for causing serious harm.
Referral Screening meetings for new MAPPA cases take place weekly.

MAPPA Levels of Management.

Level 1 cases -Ordinary Agency management where the risks can be managed the agency responsible linking with other agencies.
Level 2 cases- Offender poses high or very high risk or needs multi agency
Management.
In Avon & Somerset 9 Level 2 MAPPA meetings take place per calendar month managing 60 - 80 offenders.
Level 3 cases– High or Very High risk cases that need management at strategic level, Cases have media or public interest issues.

MAPPA offenders are managed on ViSOR.

ViSOR provides a central linked computer system for offenders that can be updated by the 3 responsible authorities (Police/Prison/Probation.
ViSOR operates within the UK and is a vital component for managing offenders across National boundaries.