MoJ releases review of polygraph use on CT offenders

The Ministry of Justice has released its findings from a process evaluation exploring the use and operation of the counter-terrorism polygraph examination licence condition.

The Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021 introduced a licence condition for mandatory polygraph examinations which could be used for eligible people on probation who have been convicted of a relevant terrorist offence. In passing the Act, the government made a commitment to undertake a review of the use and operation of the polygraph licence condition after 2 years.

This took the form of a process evaluation overseen by Selina Keeton, Wura Gerasimov and Dr Laura Pearce from the MoJ, which aimed to understand if the policy is operating as intended, and the views and experiences of stakeholders.

In conclusion, the review notes:

"Overall, all stakeholder respondent groups perceived that polygraph examination was operating as intended and working well within this cohort. Amongst most stakeholders, there was increased understanding about the polygraph examination process, purpose and limitations as polygraph examination embedded. This contributed to policy operationalisation. Barriers identified at early implementation, such as varied levels of understanding, support and engagement amongst stakeholders were reported to be largely overcome once the examination process was embedded. Some stakeholders suggested that increased communications on the polygraph examination processes and uses could aid stakeholders that have less frequent case exposure.

"Stakeholders widely considered polygraph examination to have met its aims of assisting PPs with monitoring licence condition compliance, encouraging disclosures, and enhancing risk management. Most stakeholders perceived that risk was better managed, as a result of new information arising that would otherwise not be known (MI data showed disclosures were recorded in 72% of examinations completed). This provided insight into compliance with other licence conditions and highlighted new areas of concern. Polygraph examination outcomes had for example, been used to review risk management plans, add, or amend licence conditions, or acted as the catalyst for further investigations.

"The model of having highly trained examiners embedded in the team and present at Core Groups and MAPPA meetings, along with a more in-depth collaborative case management approach are aspects unique to the polygraph examination cohort. These contextual aspects were thought to facilitate effective implementation in this cohort. The culture of multi-agency collaboration and co-working was also perceived as an aspect which most stakeholders felt worked well, facilitating successful implementation. Although specific impacts cannot be quantified, MI data shows that most appointments were attended, complied with, and produced information which can be utilised by PPs in risk management. These findings, along with stakeholder experience, add to the scarce UK and international evidence base regarding the successful use of polygraph examination with CT offenders."

Read the full review here.