Additional restrictions added by PO
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My partner met with his community PO recently and was told he may not be allowed access to a mobile phone or the Internet for a period after he is released.
1. Is it possible for a PO to put additional restrictions like this on a person?
2. I thought access to the Internet is now seen as a basic human right and therefore no such blanket bands can be imposed? She suggested that I would have to do all Internet related things for him, whilst I don't mine - This doesn't seem right but also exposes me to risk. Not that I think he'll be doing anything at illegal but if an email was sent that was deemed illegal you wouldn't be able to know if it was me or him.
1. Is it possible for a PO to put additional restrictions like this on a person?
2. I thought access to the Internet is now seen as a basic human right and therefore no such blanket bands can be imposed? She suggested that I would have to do all Internet related things for him, whilst I don't mine - This doesn't seem right but also exposes me to risk. Not that I think he'll be doing anything at illegal but if an email was sent that was deemed illegal you wouldn't be able to know if it was me or him.
Probation have a lot of scope to direct or limit what someone can do when released on license from prison (e.g. if released at half way point) until the sentence as a whole runs out (as letting someone out of jail early is a concession and it's assumed to be better than being in prison). Much less once someone has served the full time of their sentence when they rely on the SHPO and reporting requirements of the SOR.
I honestly feel like giving up. I may as well advise my person to stay inside rather than agree to be released on licence (they do have that option). How on earth are intelligent, articulate determined men/people supposed to get on with their lives and try to return to contibuting to society and re-establishing healthy, normal routines, habits, behaviours (acknowledging that they have roysally f8cked up)?
He knows exactly what led him to his offending, In the seven months between arrest and sentencing (as well as working full time) he completed 70+ hours of specialist rehab. How can our people job hunt, complete online training/accreditation, be in contact with the few people who may be supportive of them??! And selfishly, when can he start resuming some parental accountability/responsibibility?
A different judge on a different day in a different mood would have given a very different sentence. His judge at magistates alluded to a suspended sentence. A different judge at crown court sentenced him exactly as if he had seriously harmed somebody, giving him (and us) a three-year custodial sentence. And I am suufering the impact of his sentence every second of every hour of every day. Just. ShIt. All. Round.
He knows exactly what led him to his offending, In the seven months between arrest and sentencing (as well as working full time) he completed 70+ hours of specialist rehab. How can our people job hunt, complete online training/accreditation, be in contact with the few people who may be supportive of them??! And selfishly, when can he start resuming some parental accountability/responsibibility?
A different judge on a different day in a different mood would have given a very different sentence. His judge at magistates alluded to a suspended sentence. A different judge at crown court sentenced him exactly as if he had seriously harmed somebody, giving him (and us) a three-year custodial sentence. And I am suufering the impact of his sentence every second of every hour of every day. Just. ShIt. All. Round.
@intatters I hear you x
Dear Forum Users
We thought we could help with this topic. After an individual is released from prison and on licence, their PO can apply additional licence conditions to their licence, which may include restrictions on their internet usage. This condition is:
“Not to use or access any computer or device which is internet enabled without the prior approval of your supervising officer; and only for the purpose, and only at a public location, specified by that officer.”
This is a broad condition that gives the PO the ability to completely restrict or somewhat restrict, depending on the risk level and PO. It could look like, on initial release, no usage may be permitted but after some time and compliance, the PO may give permission for the internet to be accessed with a loved one's supervision. Additionally, they may only have permission to use the internet in a public space and not in private.
Each additional condition needs to be proportionate and necessary. Once a licence condition is added, it does not mean it will be there for the whole duration of their licence period, they can be added and removed depending on behaviour and risk levels.
Licence conditions are different to SHPO conditions, albeit can seem similar. SHPO conditions are managed by your loved one's Police Offender Managers and are enforced by the courts. Licence conditions are managed by Probation.
For more information, please speak to your loved ones Probation Officer/ Offender Managers, you can also see here:
https://unlock.org.uk/advice/licence-conditions/
We hope this helps.
Take Care
The Forum Team
We thought we could help with this topic. After an individual is released from prison and on licence, their PO can apply additional licence conditions to their licence, which may include restrictions on their internet usage. This condition is:
“Not to use or access any computer or device which is internet enabled without the prior approval of your supervising officer; and only for the purpose, and only at a public location, specified by that officer.”
This is a broad condition that gives the PO the ability to completely restrict or somewhat restrict, depending on the risk level and PO. It could look like, on initial release, no usage may be permitted but after some time and compliance, the PO may give permission for the internet to be accessed with a loved one's supervision. Additionally, they may only have permission to use the internet in a public space and not in private.
Each additional condition needs to be proportionate and necessary. Once a licence condition is added, it does not mean it will be there for the whole duration of their licence period, they can be added and removed depending on behaviour and risk levels.
Licence conditions are different to SHPO conditions, albeit can seem similar. SHPO conditions are managed by your loved one's Police Offender Managers and are enforced by the courts. Licence conditions are managed by Probation.
For more information, please speak to your loved ones Probation Officer/ Offender Managers, you can also see here:
https://unlock.org.uk/advice/licence-conditions/
We hope this helps.
Take Care
The Forum Team
Thank you LFF.
What tool is used to measure the risk level? This part confuses me. His PRS stated him as low risk but I don't know what tool is used to make this assessments. His OASys report also states him as low risk with a reoffending probability of 0.9%.
What tool is used to measure the risk level? This part confuses me. His PRS stated him as low risk but I don't know what tool is used to make this assessments. His OASys report also states him as low risk with a reoffending probability of 0.9%.
Thank you for your question, SAL. During risk assessment, a Probation Officer will use multiple static tools that give risk predictions, as well as dynamic risk factor assessments. These, accompanied with structured professional judgement, will aid them to decide on an overall risk level. Whilst some numerical scores may appear as low, it is the overall Risk of Serious Harm (RoSH) level that is the most accurate assessment by the PO. To find the overall RoSH it will be outlined in their OASys assessment, or your loved one can simply ask their Probation Officer. This all helps to decide licence conditions for persons on probation.
We hope this is helpful.
The Forum Team
We hope this is helpful.
The Forum Team
Thank you LFF. It is helpful to know the OASys report/ assessment is the tool/ measure probation use.
Post deleted
Thanks Daffodil - Who do they have to apply for them too?
LFF said:
"This is a broad condition that gives the PO the ability to completely restrict or somewhat restrict, depending on the risk level and PO. It could look like, on initial release, no usage may be permitted but after some time and compliance, the PO may give permission for the internet to be accessed with a loved one's supervision. Additionally, they may only have permission to use the internet in a public space and not in private."
I'm sorry but this is one thing that really annoys me. I haven't committed any crime but there seems to be this expectation that, if convicted, and if stay with him, I am expected to police his behaviour, ie supervise any interactions with under 18s and and his Internet usage. I don't think this is acceptable, nor do I think it's acceptable that PO or VISOR can ask intrusive questions about our sex life, as I have been led to believe from previous posts. That really sucks.
"This is a broad condition that gives the PO the ability to completely restrict or somewhat restrict, depending on the risk level and PO. It could look like, on initial release, no usage may be permitted but after some time and compliance, the PO may give permission for the internet to be accessed with a loved one's supervision. Additionally, they may only have permission to use the internet in a public space and not in private."
I'm sorry but this is one thing that really annoys me. I haven't committed any crime but there seems to be this expectation that, if convicted, and if stay with him, I am expected to police his behaviour, ie supervise any interactions with under 18s and and his Internet usage. I don't think this is acceptable, nor do I think it's acceptable that PO or VISOR can ask intrusive questions about our sex life, as I have been led to believe from previous posts. That really sucks.