Dyfed Powys Probation Trust

Local arrangements to assess and manage the risk posed by sexual, violent and other dangerous offenders commenced in the Dyfed Powys Probation Trust to coincide with the introduction of the Sex Offenders Act 1997. This led to the Dyfed Powys Police and Dyfed Powys Probation Trust making joint arrangements for the assessment and management of registered sex offenders, violent offenders and other dangerous offenders.

These joint arrangements included the development of a protocol between the Police, Probation and Social Services Departments within the area, and it is these agencies that formed the core membership of the MAPPA process. The Multi-Agency Protection Arrangements are supported by other agencies that include the Health Authority, Education and Housing.

The original protocol has been revised and updated to take into account changes in legislation and developments in risk assessment and management. These included the requirements of Sections 67 & 68 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 and Sections 325 327 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which identified Police and Probation as the Responsible Authority in relation to MAPPA. The Criminal Justice Act (2003) includes the Prison Service as the third party in the Responsible Authority in relation to the Multi-Agency Protection Arrangements

In 2003 the Public Protection Unit of the National Probation Service issued Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Guidance. The Dyfed Powys protocol follows this guidance and uses the same principles. The main MAPPA functions are to:

• establish arrangements for assessing and managing the risks posed by sexual and violent offenders;
• review and monitor the arrangements; and, as part of the reviewing and monitoring arrangements,
• prepare and publish an annual report on their operation.

The MAPPA Guidance identifies three main categories of offenders who fall within the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements:

Category 1
Registered Sex Offenders (RS0s), that is those sexual offenders required to register under the terms of the Sexual Offences Act 2003

Category 2
violent offenders and those sexual offenders who are not required to register and are sentenced to 12 months or more imprisonment

Category 3
any other offender who, because of the offences committed by them are considered to pose a risk of serious harm to the public.

During 2003/04 156 offenders were managed through the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements process in the Dyfed-Powys Probation Area. Dyfed-Powys Probation Area staff play a key role in the assessment and management of the offenders. It is important work and takes priority over other aspects of the work of the area.

If you would like further information on the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), this is contained in the MAPPA annual report available on the Dyfed-Powys Police website at:

http://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk

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