The Operation of PPANI
The operational functions of PPANI are managed through Local area Public Protection Panels (LAPPPs).
The operational functions of PPANI are managed through Local area Public Protection Panels (LAPPPs).
The Local Area Public Protection Panel (LAPPP) best illustrates the multi-agency outworking of these arrangements. In the community, LAPPPs are held in each of the five HSCT areas and each LAPPP has at its core, representatives from the Police, Probation and Health & Social Care Trusts. In addition, there can be representatives from any of the other agencies who have a contribution to make to particular individual cases. In respect of those individuals in custody with PPANI eligible convictions, a pre-release LAPPP is held three months prior to their scheduled release date. In addition to PSNI, PBNI and HSCT representation, NIPS and NIHE representatives are also present at pre-release LAPPPS.
The purpose of the LAPPP is:
When an individual offender has been discussed at a LAPPP, a Designated Risk Manager (DRM) is appointed to implement the offender’s individual risk management plan.
Designated Risk Manager (DRM) can be a police officer, probation officer or social worker. They hold responsibility, on behalf of their agency, for implementing the risk management plan for the offender. The DRM undertakes visits to the offender and works alongside the offender in reducing their offending behaviour. The DRM provides an updated report to the LAPPP on the visits they have made to the offender since the previous LAPPP meeting. Based on this report and considering any other relevant information from a variety of sources the offender’s Risk Management Plan will be amended. Other sources of information would come from the local police, hostel staff (if the offender lives in a hostel), treatment programmes or from the family of the offender. The DRM works alongside a range of other professionals who may be involved with the offender such as social services, probation, housing or employment agencies.
All DRM’s are trained to undertake all the required assessments of the offender and undergo annual accreditation to ensure consistency and quality of practice.
Most offenders who are within the public protection arrangements are managed by DRM’s who are either from the Police or Probation. Community Forensic Mental Health professionals manage a small number of offenders who have mental health problems. OIUs are coterminous with HSCTs, and are staffed by specialist PSNI officers, who work closely with Probation and HSCT colleagues.