An independent review has found Northern Ireland's multi-agency system for assessing and managing the risks posed by people convicted of terrorist-related offences is making a significant contribution to community supervision and public safety, while identifying areas that need strengthening.

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) examined the effectiveness of the Multi-Agency Review Arrangements (MARA), which are delivered by the Department of Justice (DoJ), His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), following a request from the Minister of Justice.

"Effectively managing the risks to our community from terrorist offenders requires real collaboration and strong partnerships. The public rightly expects this will be exercised professionally and robustly both in prison and the community," said James Corrigan, Acting Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.

"The current and future threats to our community are not just from Northern Ireland related terrorism, so our risk management arrangements need to be fit for purpose and ready to respond to our constantly changing world.

"Inspectors found the current arrangements established in 2021 following the withdrawal of supervision services by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland after a threat against their staff, benefitted from strong relationships, specialist and dedicated staff and a bespoke risk assessment tool that reflected local circumstances," he said. "The involvement of HMPPS Supervising Officers filled a critical gap after the withdrawal of local probation services. However, the development of respectful, productive relationships that support rehabilitation and risk management has meant that mostly, Supervising Officers were able to engage effectively with the men and women under their supervision.

"The work of Police Officers engaged in supporting the effective management of people under the MARA arrangements was a particular strength," said the Acting Chief Inspector.

Inspectors, however, reported the absence of an overarching vision, strategy or long-term plan for MARA, and said clear objectives, performance indicators and measures of success should be set.

They also noted that a lack of an overarching policy framework within NIPS to steer the management of those subject to MARA had created uncertainty inside the organisation.

Further clarity is required on the respective roles of the NIPS Prisoner Development Unit and HMPPS Supervising Officers in relation to in-custody work to tackle offending behaviour, plan for release and support transition back into the community.

The review also highlighted the need to enhance information-sharing and case recording to better underpin risk management.

"This Review found that overall, MARA provide an appropriate framework for the management of risks posed by individuals convicted of terrorist-related offences.

"I have made three Strategic and five Operational recommendations aimed at strengthening the current arrangements along with consideration by all relevant parties of what needs to be put in place to enable the design of a future service delivery model with local Supervising Officers," said Mr Corrigan.