ABSTRACT

Some individuals display problem behaviours that raise concerns about the risk of harm they may pose to themselves or others. In Australia, various legislative regimes exist which are aimed at containing and controlling such individuals. These include criminal justice schemes enabling indefinite sentences and civil justice schemes enabling post-sentence detention and supervision. There are also preventive detention schemes for those who have not offended, but who are considered at risk of harming others. This chapter considers whether interventions such as intensive case management and co-ordinated service delivery targeting criminogenic and therapeutic needs can provide an alternative to containment alone. It considers in particular the strengths and weaknesses of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPAs) in England, Wales and Scotland and the Multiple and Complex Needs Initiative in Victoria.