Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what criteria are used to assess the future risk of sexual offending by men convicted of rape when due for release from prison.

Evidence-based tools are used to assess the risk presented by men who have been convicted of rape. These include statistically- derived measures which indicate the risk of reconviction for a sexual offence and more individualised assessments of the relevant risk which the offender presents and any “protective factors” which will help mitigate those risks. The assessment of risk will include the extent to which offenders can demonstrate insight into their motivations for offending and their ability to manage future risk. Using these various assessments, a probation offender manager, working closely with local police under the statutory Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), will draw up a risk management plan, to supervise the offender on release and so protect the public.

For offenders who are not released automatically, the Parole Board may direct release of a prisoner only if it is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the protection of the public that the prisoner should remain detained. When making its decision, the Parole Board will consider all evidence presented to it and take into account the nature of the index offence, the prisoner’s offending history, the prisoner’s progress in prison, any statement made by the victim(s), reports by offender managers and prison officers, and all risk assessments provided. Before release is directed, the Parole Board will also satisfy itself that a comprehensive resettlement and risk management plan is in place.