Background

We are an independent Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), established in 2005 by the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 which outlines our statutory duties. We are independent and impartial, whilst accountable to Scottish Ministers for the purposes of funding and performance.

Our duties focus on protecting the public by ensuring that robust and effective risk assessment and risk management practices are in place to reduce the risk of serious harm posed by violent and sexual offenders. Within this remit, the RMA also has specific responsibility to administer and oversee the risk assessment and management processes supporting the Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) sentence, including the accreditation of risk assessors to carry out duties on behalf of the High Court, and the approval of Risk Management Plans for offenders subject to an OLR.

This OLR is a sentence pertaining to those who pose the highest level of risk to the community and involves a rigorous lifetime supervision programme in cases where the High Court determines that the offender

"…if at liberty, will seriously endanger the lives, or physical or psychological well-being of members of the public at large."

(Section 210E of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003)

The RMA’s independent status allows for a fair and objective provision of service to the Scottish public.

For further information please read our Corporate Plan.

If you would like help in understanding some of the terminology used above, please read our FAQs.