ABSTRACT
Integrated Offender Management (IOM) is the most recent iteration of a specific model of multi-agency work with low- and medium-risk offenders in England and Wales. The underlying principle of IOM is that intensive supervision, consisting of both control and help, offers the best opportunity to reduce the risk of reoffending of particular ‘hard to reach’ groups with whom agencies commonly have difficulties in engaging. These groups have traditionally been young, male, non-violent prolific offenders but other cohorts, such as domestic violence perpetrators and gang members have been engaged increasingly. The key feature of such work is close co-working, and often co-location, of police and probation services, which creates a unique professional relationship and dynamic. We draw on past experience of evaluating intensive supervision, updated with other recent studies, to explore the development of IOM and, in particular, the challenges of evaluating its effectiveness.
