From Wednesday 26^th October 2022, new eligibility criteria will come into effect for the electronic monitoring (EM) acquisitive crime project. It will see the current cohort (Adult People on Probation convicted of specific acquisitive crime offences, serving a Standard Determinate Sentence of 12 months or over, who are released/ re-released to reside within one of the 19 in-scope Police Force Areas) extended to those serving standard determinate sentences of 90 days and over. This will support me to manage People on Probation serving shorter sentences for acquisitive crime offences.

Standard Determinate Sentences are the only type of sentences in-scope and PoPs re-released, and those under HDC are also included, provided they have at least 30 days remaining on their licence. Post Sentence Supervision (PSS) is not included.

Where my PoP is serving a sentence for more than one offence, either concurrently or consecutively, the offence with the longest or equal longest absolute sentence length must be used to determine eligibility. This longest or equal longest sentence must be a Standard Determinate Sentence and meet the necessary length as outlined above. This approach is to make sure that the longest sentence, likely to be the most serious of those being served, is considered for eligibility rather than the total custodial period.

Probation are responsible for ensuring all eligible PoPs are identified for this cohort. There are two processes which must be utilised to support identification:

1) I will be informed of my eligible PoP, by my region’s Acquisitive Crime SPOC’s access to a MIS Report;

2) I will refer to the Effective Proposal Framework 2 (EPF2) when release planning. I will then use the eligibility criteria, found in the Guidance on EQuiP to validate whether the PoP is in-scope for this cohort.

I will ensure I include the appropriate conditions on the license, ether by using the PD1 form or the Create and Vary a License (CVL) tool. I will work together with Prison Offender Managers to ensure that eligible PoPs are prepared for release with the EM tagging conditions.

I will have access to the self-service tool to help me monitor the whereabouts of my PoP to support PoP management: preparing for an appointment with the PoP, taking extra details to IOM meetings and undertake adhoc reviews if I am concerned. As this is a compulsory condition the tag remains on my PoP for the duration of their licence, up to a maximum of 12 months. At the end of the tagging period, EMS will visit the PoP to remove the tag and the Home Monitoring Unit (HMU).

If I work in one of the 19 Police Force Areas in scope, I will need to attend one of the series of briefings on offer throughout September and October to understand the change, re-cap on the eligibility criteria, licence conditions and my role as the responsible officer. I can book a place on a briefing session here.

I can access further details on eligibility criteria and exclusions, including other considerations, in the EM Acquisitive Crime guidance available on EQuiP.