A key element of the programme is community surveillance, which ensures that the offenders themselves are aware their behaviour is being closely monitored, and brings some structure to their often chaotic lifestyles.
The surveillance element also helps demonstrate to the wider community that the behaviour of these young people is being tackled.
Types of surveillance
ISSP schemes will tailor individual packages of surveillance to the risks posed by each offender. Each scheme is using a mix of the following types of surveillance:
- Tracking
Staff maintain regular contact with the young offender throughout the week, accompanying them to scheduled activities and appointments. Staff also provide support and advice, and follow up any non-attendance.
- Tagging
The young offender is electronically monitored (for example to reinforce a night-time curfew if that is when they are most at risk of reoffending).
- Voice verification
The ‘voice print’ of the young offender is checked over the telephone at times specified in a contact schedule, to confirm that the young person is where he/she is supposed to be.
- Intelligence-led policing
The police can provide overt monitoring of the movements of these young offenders at key times to reinforce the programme, as well as share information with the ISSP staff in the youth offending team.
The minimum requirement is for two surveillance checks per day, but this can be increased to 24-hour monitoring.