Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Not Addressed
HMPPS has failed to provide police forces and the Probation Service with timely access to...
Recommendation
HMPPS has failed to provide police forces and the Probation Service with timely access to the tagging information they need to effectively supervise offenders and protect the public. HMPPS expected Gemini and the user portal to enhance probation officers’ supervision of offenders and improve public protection by providing: a single version of case management records; improved management information and reporting capabilities; and crucially, access to historical and real- time maps of offenders’ movements by using GPS tags. Without this system, police and probation officers cannot access real-time data and have to submit manual requests for location data, which limits the value of using GPS tracking. However, HMPPS’s acquisitive crime pilot—which involves comparing data from GPS tags against the locations of alleged crimes submitted by the police—has enabled probation officers to have real-time access to location data for the 650 offenders in the pilot. HMPPS has received requests from the police for direct access to its system, but it has so far not provided this due to data protection considerations. Recommendation: Before starting future contracts in January 2024, HMPPS should explore how it can provide police forces and other law enforcement agencies with real-time access to location monitoring data across all GPS tagging cohorts —taking account of data protection considerations—and update us on its plans.
Government Response Summary
The government states that local authorities are responsible for developing their own Clean Air Plans. This is not related to the recommendation about HMPPS.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation approach in their area in consultation with their local communities. Under the NO programme, local authorities are responsible for developing their own Clean Air Plans. Throughout plan development, local authorities are supported by a dedicated account manager. Following a Clean Air Zone launch, the government carries out lessons learned exercises which include seeking feedback on the joint working relationship. For the government to assure itself it is meeting its obligation to ensure NO compliance in the shortest possible time, local authorities are required to benchmark their proposals against the delivery of a Clean Air Zone. Each local authority has the flexibility to identify measures other than Clean Air Zones; indeed, the Clean Air Zone Framework is clear that non-charging measures should be preferred if they will deliver compliance as quickly as charging. Under the Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) requirements, the government also provides support to local authorities in carrying out their LAQM duties through a dedicated helpdesk and statutory policy and technical guidance. This provides a clear steer for local authorities while allowing them to determine the measures they take and how they communicate in line with local priorities. Following the strengthening of the LAQM and Smoke Control Area framework through the Environment Act 2021, officials are currently developing a programme of engagement with local authorities. The government will write to the Committee by the end of February 2023 with a further update on how it is engaging with local authorities.