Managing Violent Offenders Flashcards
What is ViSOR?
The ViSOR national database (the Violent and Sex Offenders Register) lists all individuals who pose a risk of serious harm to the public.
It is accessible to police, probation, and prison services and supports the development of multi-agency public protection arrangements.
This helps the various services work together to manage risk.
What is the Violent Offender Order (VOO)?
Introduced in the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, with the aim of reducing reoffending (Home Office, 2009a).
They are civil orders with duration of two to five years, and set restrictions or conditions, for example preventing the recipient from going to certain locations, attending certain events, or having contact with specified individuals (s 102 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008).
The recipient of a Violent Offender Order (VOO) must be aged 18 or over and:
- Have been previously sentenced to at least 12 months imprisonment for a serious violent offence (committed in any country) or
- Be subject to a hospital or supervision order after being found not guilty due to insanity.
Order is requested by a chief police officer and issued by a magistrates court. The court must be satisfied that a VOO is necessary to protect the public or any particular member of the public from serious physical or psychological harm.
