Registered Sex Offenders’ experiences of risk assessments and home visits in England & Wales – can we expect the police to integrate “risk” with “desistance” practices?

In England and Wales, adult male registered sex offenders (RSOs) are risk assessed and managed using a tool known as Active Risk Management System (ARMS) and this risk assessment is carried out by a specialist group of police officers known as Management of Violent or Sexual Offenders (MOSOVO) at the RSO’s home, known as ‘the home visit’. This study aimed to examine a sample of RSOs’ views of the risk assessment and home visit process and to make recommendations to MOSOVO, based on RSOs’ views, to improve the risk assessment and home visit practice. Three police forces in England and Wales agreed to facilitate sampling of 10 RSOs who varied in their level of risk - namely, low, medium, high and very high. Semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed and three themes were developed: Waiting for the first home visit provoked feelings of anxiety and heightened levels of shame; the first home visit was ‘like a chat’ but not for the higher risk RSOs; and the property search and observations were non-invasive, but RSOs were not fully informed of the home visit. We discuss these experiences in light of the growing call for MOSOVOs to both manage risk and assist desistance

Briefing Paper on Police Management of Registered Sex Offenders

An explorative study on police management and risk assessment of registered sex offenders using the Active Risk Management System (ARMS) risk assessment tool. This study explores how police are trained to carry out this role, Police views of this role and risk assessment and also offenders views of the risk assessment and concluded with recommendations for improvemen

Police officer attitudes to the training and practicalities of Active Risk Management System (ARMS)

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Registered sex offenders views of the risk assessment process using Active Risk Management System (ARMS)

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The Police as Formal Agents of Change: Assisting Desistance in Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offences

Comprehensive and multi-disciplinary public health approaches are necessary to prevent sexual re-offending, as noted by Kewley et al. (2021). However, criminal justice solutions continue to dominate (McCartan & Richards, 2021) and the arrangement in England and Wales is no exception to this. The introduction of the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in 2003 brought together the work of the police, prison and probation services in order to manage violent and sexual offenders. This paper focuses specifically on the work of the specialist police officers who are tasked under MAPPA with the Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) and whether or not they can assist desistance in those who have been convicted of a sexual offence. We argue that the risk-based, highly politicalised model of public protection that MOSOVOs operate within creates tensions more likely to hinder rather than facilitate desistance. Echoed by findings in an independent review of the Police’s Management of Registered Sex Offenders (2023) successful desistance journeys are found in people who are supported by formal agents who actively promote hope and optimism and convey a belief that the person attempting desistance can change. In conclusion, we recommend that MOSOVOs must be willing and resourced to help individuals with sexual convictions develop a non-offending lifestyle and identity and support them in achieving this goal which requires the provision comprehensive support beyond risk management

The Police as Formal Agents of Change: Assisting Desistance in Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offences

Comprehensive and multi-disciplinary public health approaches are necessary to prevent sexual re-offending, as noted by Kewley et al. (2021). However, criminal justice solutions continue to dominate (McCartan & Richards, 2021) and the arrangement in England and Wales is no exception to this. The introduction of the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in 2003 brought together the work of the police, prison and probation services in order to manage violent and sexual offenders. This paper focuses specifically on the work of the specialist police officers who are tasked under MAPPA with the Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) and whether or not they can assist desistance in those who have been convicted of a sexual offence. We argue that the risk-based, highly politicalised model of public protection that MOSOVOs operate within creates tensions more likely to hinder rather than facilitate desistance. Echoed by findings in an independent review of the Police’s Management of Registered Sex Offenders (2023) successful desistance journeys are found in people who are supported by formal agents who actively promote hope and optimism and convey a belief that the person attempting desistance can change. In conclusion, we recommend that MOSOVOs must be willing and resourced to help individuals with sexual convictions develop a non-offending lifestyle and identity and support them in achieving this goal which requires the provision comprehensive support beyond risk management

The Police as Formal Agents of Change: Assisting Desistance in Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offences

Comprehensive and multi-disciplinary public health approaches are necessary to prevent sexual re-offending, as noted by Kewley et al. (2021). However, criminal justice solutions continue to dominate (McCartan & Richards, 2021) and the arrangement in England and Wales is no exception to this. The introduction of the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in 2003 brought together the work of the police, prison and probation services in order to manage violent and sexual offenders. This paper focuses specifically on the work of the specialist police officers who are tasked under MAPPA with the Management of Sexual or Violent Offenders (MOSOVO) and whether or not they can assist desistance in those who have been convicted of a sexual offence. We argue that the risk-based, highly politicalised model of public protection that MOSOVOs operate within creates tensions more likely to hinder rather than facilitate desistance. Echoed by findings in an independent review of the Police’s Management of Registered Sex Offenders (2023) successful desistance journeys are found in people who are supported by formal agents who actively promote hope and optimism and convey a belief that the person attempting desistance can change. In conclusion, we recommend that MOSOVOs must be willing and resourced to help individuals with sexual convictions develop a non-offending lifestyle and identity and support them in achieving this goal which requires the provision comprehensive support beyond risk management