RMA publish research exploring the implementation of the Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) sentence
Today, Friday 4 September, the RMA are pleased to publish our latest research study, The Implementation of the Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) Sentence: Analysis of 50 Individuals Subject to the Sentence.
Since 2006, the OLR has been available to the Scottish High Courts. In the 16 years since introduction, and at the cut-off date for this study (March 2023), there had been 343 individuals assessed for the order (made subject to a Risk Assessment Order), and 248 individuals had received an OLR. Since the introduction of the sentence, and until now, there hasn’t been a detailed evaluation to consider whether it’s being implemented as intended, and to consider whether there are any improvements to implementation which could be recommended.
Geoff Tordzro-Taylor, Head of Research and Development, commented:
“Publication of this study is the culmination of a number of years of work across multiple teams in the RMA and is an important step in increasing the evidence base regarding individuals sentenced to the OLR. It provides the basis for a number of key recommendations and future studies to improve understanding and practice across areas including (but not limited to) working with complex presentations and the provision of effective risk management provisions (such as offending behaviour programmes and psychological therapies).”
The RMA is uniquely placed to conduct research like this into the OLR. As laid out in legislation, we are the only organisation to have oversight responsibilities relating to the sentence, including review and approval of documentation such as Risk Management Plans and Annual Implementation Reports. This research involved collecting and analysing information from these documents from the point of sentencing and throughout sentence management. The findings of the study have informed a suite of recommendations designed to increase our understanding of the individuals subject to the unique sentence and contribute towards our discussions relating to improvements in risk assessment and management.
For example, we found that all 50 individuals were identified as having some form of responsivity characteristic at sentencing, such as personality disorder, alcohol and/or substance issues and mental health conditions. Further, the study found that 96% of individuals had experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE) and on average individuals had over four ACEs each. This is much higher than both the general public, and the general prison population, and has long-term implications in terms of health and justice outcomes. The prevalence of responsivity characteristics and ACEs across the sample is significant; it evidences the complex needs within this group of individuals and reflects the behaviours and needs that become the responsibility of a lead authority to assess, manage and support during the individual’s sentence.
The findings in this study highlight the need for a highly individualised, formulation-based approach to risk management. Whilst we acknowledge that there’s no current evidence of a ‘perfect approach’, there is a need to build on existing effective aspects of individualised practice but also to do something different and evaluate it to build the evidence base of what may be effective or ineffective. This can lead to better long-term planning, strategic decision-making and efficient investment.
Recommendations from the study consider improving knowledge and education regarding the sentence and those subject to it. We look at strategic planning and engagement of the existing and future provision of psychological therapies; and further improvement of evidence-based individualised risk management, built around a formulation-based approach.
We look forward to continuing to work with our partners across justice to help implement these recommendations and continue to advocate for a more effective and individualised approach to risk, to help Make Scotland Safer.
