South Yorkshire Police to expand teams monitoring offenders on release from prison

South Yorkshire Police has revealed plans to expand the teams monitoring offenders on their release from prison.
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The force has an offender management teams in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster and there are plans to ‘grow this vital resource’.

The teams keep track of offenders on the Sex Offenders Register and those deemed violent or dangerous and in need of monitoring at the end of their prison sentences.

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The teams work with agencies including the probation service and draw up management plans for the most serious offenders to avoid them committing further crimes.

South Yorkshire Police has revealed plans to expand its offender management teams to keep track of prisoners on their release from jail (Image: Getty)South Yorkshire Police has revealed plans to expand its offender management teams to keep track of prisoners on their release from jail (Image: Getty)
South Yorkshire Police has revealed plans to expand its offender management teams to keep track of prisoners on their release from jail (Image: Getty)

Ministry of Justice figures show there were nearly 1,600 people listed on the Sex Offenders Register at the end of March 2020.

Another 564 violent offenders and 10 convicted criminals deemed ‘dangerous’ were being monitored at that time.

Criminals subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements can be monitored for life, depending upon the offence committed and the sentence imposed.

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Superintendent Shelley Hemsley, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “We have robust processes in place for the management of offenders, with a dedicated and specialist offender management team in each of the policing districts. These teams perform an incredibly important task and there are plans to grow this vital resource over the coming years.

“We monitor the individuals living within the community to ensure they comply with their registration requirements.

Any breaches are dealt with swiftly and promptly, with necessary action taken to mitigate any risks.

“South Yorkshire Police follows the national process to risk assess, review and determine whether it is appropriate to remove notification requirements for offenders.

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“There are many considerations that must be taken into account when deciding if an individual is to be removed from the Sex Offenders Register, including the seriousness of their offence or offences, the period of time that has elapsed, and whether the offender has committed any further sexual or violent crimes. This list is not exhaustive and considerable deliberations take place.

“If we ever have concerns about an individual and they stop adhering to their registration requirements, extensive work is undertaken by the team working with numerous other agencies across the UK and abroad if necessary, to locate that person and take appropriate action.”