- Eight offenders went on to commit a crime last year while under the Jersey Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement scheme
- One violent criminal raped a woman seven weeks after being released from prison
- However 90 per cent of high-risk offenders managed under the programme did not re-offend last year
- Report released today
MEASURES to protect the public have been improved after a violent criminal who was under a scheme which manages dangerous or sexual offenders raped a woman seven weeks after being released from prison, according to a report released today.
The man – known only as Mr X – was one of eight offenders who went on to commit a crime last year while under the Jersey Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement scheme.
However, figures released today revealed that almost 90 per cent of high-risk offenders managed under the programme did not re-offend last year – a rise of almost five per cent from 2013.
JMAPPA was set up in 2011 to manage sexual, violent or dangerous offenders, together with other potentially dangerous people.
It involves the States police, the Probation Service, Customs and Immigration, the honorary police and several States departments.
In its annual report, JMAPPA said that a serious incident review was conducted after the rape and nine key actions which were identified by an independent safeguarding expert were completed.
Mr X was released in January 2014 after serving more than 12 months for offences including grave and criminal assault.
- 29.38% Violence
- 28.36% Sex
- 15.19% Domestic violence
- 5.7% Violence and domestic violence
The report said that, following ‘standard practice’, a Level Two multi-agency meeting – where more than one agency is required to manage the offender but the risk management plans do not require resources at a senior level – was convened before his release.
A review was also planned for a few weeks following his release.
After leaving La Moye, Mr X was not subject to any statutory requirements but had agreed to maintain voluntary contact with the Probation Service under the JMAPPA scheme.
However, at the review meeting, it transpired that he had not maintained contact.
Mr X was charged with rape after the woman – who knew him – reported the attack to an independent domestic violence adviser, who had been introduced to her through JMAPPA.
He was subsequently jailed for six years by the Superior Number at the Royal Court in January and recommended for deportation.
Nine key actions were identified during the serious-incident review, all of which were completed by January 2015 – although many were completed by mid-2014, the JMAPPA report said.
It added: ‘Key issues identified related to improving the voice of the victim and victim engagement in the JMAPPA process, together with highlighting the lack of statutory post-custodial supervision to support public-protection endeavours.
‘During 2014 there has been significant improvement in the specific victim aspect of the JMAPPA process.
This is due to the strengthening of the victim notification scheme and good liaison between the police witness care unit and victim support, as well as the development of the independent domestic violence adviser service.’
Meanwhile, the report revealed that 77 individuals were dealt with by JMAPPA last year – an increase from 66 in 2013.
Detective Superintendent Stewart Gull, chairman of JMAPPA, said that since it was introduced the scheme has been ‘incredibly successful’.
He added: ‘Each subject is managed based on their offending behaviour and risk.
This, however, is not an infallible science and we continue to give training and advice to all agencies involved in the process.
‘In essence the goal for all agencies as part of this partnership is to manage these offenders, supporting them within the community but offenders have to take personal responsibility for their behaviour and conduct.’
THE creation of the Jersey Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement – JMAPPA – marked a significant step forward in protecting Islanders from those known to pose a risk.
Created in 2011 to assess and manage sexual, violent and dangerous offenders, as well as those described as ‘potentially dangerous’, the body brings together senior representatives from the police, Probation, Customs and Immigration, Health, Education, Social Security and Home Affairs, as well as parish Constables and housing providers.
These professionals are the eyes and ears of the community and ensure that these various bodies share information to make sure that they can build up as complete a picture of who poses a risk and where as possible.
They are tuned into a great many areas of Island life to make contact with victims and offenders to keep us safe.
The JMAPPA annual report published today paints a positive picture and highlights many areas of success.
It revealed that almost 90 per cent of high-risk offenders managed under the programme did not re-offend last year – a rise of almost 5 per cent from 2013.
As reported today, however, one violent offender, Mr X, slipped through the net and committed a rape seven weeks after being released from custody.
It is a sad and inescapable truth that no amount of surveillance and multi-agency working can eliminate the risk posed by dangerous individuals. All convicted criminals will be released after serving their sentences for crimes from grave and criminal assault to rape and even murder.
Lessons have been learned from the case of Mr X and JMAPPA now works more closely with victims.
However, an inquiry into what went wrong in that case identified a hole in the law.
Mr X was under no legal obligation to report to the authorities on his release, but, like many others, was doing so voluntarily.
Parole and licensed-release schemes have been considered in the past and should be again. In a small Island, a proactive police force, supported by many others sharing their knowledge and expertise, is keeping us safe.
Their work also relies on Islanders working with them, passing on information about offenders or those who might pose a risk. Many will today want reassurance that the law is as strong as it needs to be.
