The Post Sentence Authority's 2021-22 Annual Report

As of 30 June 2022, there were 139 serious offenders subject to a post sentence order. Of these offenders, 101 are serious sex offenders, 19 are serious violent offenders and 19 are both serious sex and serious violent offenders.   

Notably, in 2021-22, eight offenders had their orders expire and five orders were revoked. This evidences that change is possible in some offenders, who have been able to satisfy a court through cogent evidence that they no longer pose or will pose an unacceptable risk to the community. It also shows that offenders are not on an order for any longer than they need to be, and fears of the scheme warehousing offenders has not been realised – rather it is a scheme genuinely focussed on harm minimisation, risk reduction, rehabilitation, and reintegration.  

Despite a slight reduction in the number of people on orders from the previous year, the work of the Authority did not decrease. There was a 21 per cent increase in the number of interviews conducted (102), 346 coordinated service plans reviewed, and 188 serious offender hearings held. The report also highlights how the Authority has successfully adapted to a hybrid working model because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Authority’s Chair, Michele Williams KC, reiterates the ongoing challenges in sourcing suitable accommodation for serious violent offenders who reside in the community on supervision orders and finding placements in disability forensic residential facilities for offenders with complex needs.  

Whilst sourcing suitable accommodation is challenging, the Authority closely monitors the treatment and rehabilitation needs of all offenders and works collaboratively with the Multi-Agency Panel who closely monitor the delivery of services, case management, community-based accommodation, and disability forensic services, to manage an offender’s risk of reoffending.