The National MAPPA Research
The national MAPPA research was a 26-month study conducted by the Policing Institute for the Eastern Region (now the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute), to examine the effectiveness of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in England and Wales.
Under the MAPPA framework, the Police, the National Probation Service and the Prison Service, along with other agencies who have a ‘duty to cooperate’, are legally required to work together to monitor and manage the risk posed by individuals convicted of sexual and violent offences, in the community.
This national research, which is the most comprehensive study of MAPPA to date, utilised a mixed methods approach and included in-depth analysis of more than 39,000 individuals subject to MAPPA management, alongside extensive focus group research with MAPPA practitioners from sectors including the Police, Probation Service, the Prison Service, youth offending teams, victim support, and social care.
A large sample of MAPPA referrals, and panel meeting minutes were also analysed, along with a large number of MAPPA serious case reviews, in order to investigate the efficacy of the arrangements.
The research was made up of three components: proven reoffending analysis, process effectiveness analysis and a serious case review analysis.
This research has shown that the reoffending rates of those managed under MAPPA are less than half of that of the national average, with the one-year MAPPA proven reoffending rate at 12.2% compared to the national overall one year, proven reoffending rates of between 30.0% and 31.3% over a similar time frame.
Focus group discussions found that MAPPA is a well-respected and highly valued mechanism for managing the risk posed by individuals convicted of sexual and violent offences.
It also, however, found a number of limitations of the arrangements, which need to be addressed to ensure MAPPA works as effectively as possible in reducing further serious harm.
The three reports outline a number of recommendations for improvement, including enhanced management of individuals convicted of domestic abuse or sexually motivated crimes to ensure they can be managed under MAPPA, the development of a new MAPPA training package to address deficits in the current training provision, and more effective use of MAPPA to manage young people transitioning from youth to adult services.
Download and read the The National MAPPA Research briefing and reports: