Offender Management Inspection (OMI)
Offender management inspection (OMI) is an HMI Probation-led methodology. OMI is conducted on a regional basis, involving visits to all 42 NOMS areas on a three-year inspection cycle and began in May 2006. The OMI model is primarily focused on assessing the quality of service delivered to offenders and, as such, covers provision in both the community and custody. There are four sections to the OMI criteria:
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assessment and sentence planning
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implementation of interventions
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achievement and monitoring of outcomes
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leadership and strategic planning
Since the inception of the OMI methodology, HMI Prisons has contributed particularly to the custodial element of offender management inspection. Read the OMI reports here
Offender management inspection in prisons
Following the introduction of offender management arrangements in custody from November 2006, a new joint methodology for the inspection of offender management arrangements in prison, including outcomes for prisoners, was developed by HMI Probation and HMI Prisons. Since its application in early 2007, this shared methodology is designed to reduce the burden of inspection on prisons.
We hope to publish the first of our joint OMI reports, on the south-east region/prison area, in April 2008.
HMI Probation will be joining HMI Prisons on some of its inspections to assess the quality of offender management arrangements for prisoners who are within the scope of the National Offender Management model.
As part of the inspection we will meet:
key workers (members of prison staff or external partners) delivering interventions in the custodial setting who will provide inspectors with representative views about the delivery of interventions to in-scope prisoners.
offender management unit (OMU) practitioners (offender supervisors and case administrators) who will provide representative views about the front line operation of offender management.
operational managers (offender supervisor coordinator, OMU manager, senior probation officer, public protection manager) who will provide evidence of the operational management and leadership of the prison in respect of offender management.
strategic managers (governor/director, deputy governor, head of reducing reoffending, head of learning and skills) who will provide evidence of the strategic management and leadership of the prison in respect of offender management.
The joint element of the inspection will usually last for one day. Thereafter, HMI Prisons will follow up any outstanding issues or queries on behalf of both inspectorates for the rest of the inspection period.
A summary of initial findings will form part of HMI Prisons’ feedback at the end of the week and the key points will be reflected in the prison report of the inspection. Following the conclusion of inspections in a region, a joint report will be published setting out findings from the prisons inspected. This may include recommendations for improvement, as well as highlighting examples of good practice.
If you would like further information please contact us at HMI Prisons or HMI Probation
