What led to the establishing of the RMA?
The report of the Committee on Serious Violent and Sexual Offenders, highlighted the need for an independent body, whose role would be to ensure that statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies worked together systematically to address the risk posed by serious offenders. The Committee was chaired by Lord MacLean and reported to Scottish Ministers in 2000.
The Scottish Executive (now Scottish Government) consulted on the Committee’s Report, and the analysis of that consultation is available here. In light of the Committee’s report and the subsequent consultation, the Scottish Executive (now Scottish Government) published its proposals in the White Paper "Serious Violent and Sexual Offenders: Criminal Justice".
The Risk Management Authority was established for the following reasons:
- The growing public concern about the harm resulting from sexual and violent offending
- The need for special measures for offenders considered to be at high risk of serious re-offending
- The diversity of professional practices and competing approaches in the assessment and management of high risk offenders
- The need for research to evidence and develop best practice
- The problems of inter-agency communication, information flow and shared definitions and understanding
The work of the RMA commenced with the appointment of the Convener and the Board who took up post in late September 2004. The Chief Executive took up post at the end of January 2005 and the recruitment of staff was completed by September 2005. The RMA took the lease of its premises in Paisley from June 2005. You can find out more about the Board, Chief Executive and staff by clicking here.