7. Case Studies
The following case studies are examples of cases that could be managed through MAPPA.
Case Study 1
Keith is a 60 year old man convicted of Lewd, Indecent and Libidinous practices and behaviours against his step son. Keith was referred to the Joint Sex Offender Project and assessed as suitable to participate in the Community Sexual Offending Group work Programme (C- SOGP).
Whilst in Prison, Keith continued to deny his offences and as a result did not participate in any offence focussed work, C- SOGP was the first opportunity that Keith had to address his offending behaviour and he continued to deny his offences on release.
On his release from prison, Keith was subject to level 2 MAPPA arrangements involving representatives from Social Work, JSOP, Housing, Grampian Police and SACRO, a robust risk management plan was put in place to manage the risk he posed. Through completing the Induction Module, Keith's denial of his offending reduced and he felt able to open up and share with the group his account of his offending behaviour, identifying the steps he took to abuse his step son.
Given this and the robust risk management plan that was in place his was level was reduced to MAPPA level 1.
At a midway C- SOGP review Keith admitted that he was continuing to have sexual thoughts about children and creating opportunities where he could meet children. At this point there were sufficient concerns by those involved in the risk management plan to request a re-referral to the MAPPA process to consider his risk level. At this meeting all agencies were able to share information to assess the risk posed by Keith and put appropriate risk management strategies in place and continue to manage the case at the appropriate MAPPA level.
Keith has now completed the C- SOGP Induction module and the 50 hour Relapse Prevention programme, he is living in accommodation supported by SACRO and complying with his licence conditions. His MAPPA level was reduced to level 1 whilst he was on the group due to the supports in place to manage his risk.
Case Study 2
Michael, a 32 year old man, had been convicted of several sexual offences against both male and female children. He was sentenced to a period of custody, including an extended sentence period of supervision. He was also made subject to a Sex Offender Prevention Order. Prior to his release he was referred to MAPPA by the prison. Due to the high risk of harm posed, and the resource intensive nature of his proposed risk management plan, he was subject to level 3 arrangements. These meetings were attended by senior staff from the police, SACRO, psychological services, CJSW, JSOP as well as NHS and Children's Services social work.
Michael was released from prison and conditions of his licence included electronic monitoring, 24 Sacro support and monitoring and co-operation with JSOP. Initially monthly MAPPP review meetings took place, in addition to regular core group meetings. Michael undertook and completed structured work with JSOP on a two to one basis. His understanding of his behaviour and how he had planned his offences improved and he compiled a realistic relapse prevention plan. During the course of his supervision, the Sacro monitoring and support gradually decreased, as did the frequency of MAPPA review meetings. He is now subject to 3 monthly reviews.
Michael is now subject to level 2 arrangements, but the case reverted to level 3 when there have been specific concerns. This highlights the dynamic nature of both risk, and also the MAPPA. Arrangements are flexible to ensure the most suitable arrangements to manage an offenders risk at any given time can be invoked.
Case Study 3
Neil is a Registered Sex Offender whose case has been monitored under the MAPPA Level 3 process since his conviction for a Sexual Assault on a 13 yr old female. At the time of release, a Sex Offender Prevention Order ( SOPO), which prohibits certain activities, was also imposed for a period of five years in order to manage the risk in the Community.
Based on his previous non-compliance when released at an earlier date and given his only limited progress in addressing his offending behaviour in custody, the decision by all professionals at the MAPPA meeting was to accommodate Neil in a risk assessed address with an appropriate support package. He was considered to pose a high risk of harm to young females and therefore licence conditions were imposed to restrict contact with this group.
Within a short period of release police monitoring staff became seriously concerned about Neil's movements and following a sighting of him with a young girl they quickly detained him for breaching his SOPO conditions and immediately alerted his criminal justice supervising officer. Working together the agencies were able to piece together Neil's activities providing evidence for arresting and charging him and subsequently led to his recall to prison for breach of licence.
This quick action ensured that further offending was avoided thereby preventing further victims and potential serious harm was averted. Although Neil has been recalled, and as such is managed at Level 1 by SPS, all agencies will continue to contribute to risk management through ongoing risk assessment and the pre-release processes.