24.1 This section explains how MAPPA arrangements should apply to the management of offenders convicted under terrorism legislation (TACT), those whose offences are motivated by extremism and those who pose a risk of terrorism.

24.2 The current UK Government definition of extremism is set out at New definition of extremism (2024) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk):

“Extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to:

• negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or
• undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or
• intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in (1) or (2).”

24.3 Offenders motivated by extremism may be convicted of a range of offences in different contexts, both violent and non-violent, which are driven by ideologies that run contrary to the values stated above, causing harm to individuals and communities. Some, but not all, will be convicted under specific terrorism legislation i.e., an offence under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001, the Terrorism Act 2006 or the Counter Terrorism Act 2008, or an offence of conspiring, attempting, aiding, abetting, counselling, procuring or inciting a terrorism legislation offence (known as TACT offenders or terrorism offenders).

24.4 The Sentencing Act 2020 for offenders sentenced in England and Wales, and the Counter Terrorism Act 2008 for offenders sentenced before 29 June 2021, offenders sentenced in other parts of the UK, or service offenders, require courts to determine whether non-terrorism offences have a terrorism connection (TACT connected or terrorism connected offenders). Since 2021 they can find that any non-terrorism offence with a maximum penalty of more than 2 years' imprisonment has a terrorism connection.

24.5 Other offenders may not be convicted of TACT or TACT connected offences, but their beliefs and engagement with distorted ideologies may drive their offending behaviour and consequent risk to the public (terrorism risk cases).

24.6 The Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU)is run by HMPPS and Homeland Security Group in the Home Office. HMPPS is represented by a specialist counter terrorism team, referred to as the operational network. The operational network is made up of specialist Prison and Probation staff employed within JExU who are based across the country and linked to prisons and Probation Regions. The operational network works closely with relevant Police colleagues and provides expert specialist advice and guidance to HMPPS and other partnership agencies to support information sharing and management, sentence management and risk assessment and management. This includes completing and facilitating access to specialist assessments and interventions. They also provide a briefing and training function. The operational network is supported by Homeland Security Group staff employed within JExU who deliver operational policy, strategy and projects. HMPPS staff and partner agencies (such as Youth Offending Teams and mental health services) may consult with specialist staff within the operational network, such as regional Probation Counter Terrorism Leads (PCTL) and regional Counter Terrorism Specialist Probation Practitioners (CTSPP), for advice about all aspects of the management of terrorism and extremism offenders.

24.7 The Probation Service manages TACT and TACT connected offenders, and the most concerning terrorism risk cases, within the National Security Division (NSD). The NSD is a specialist probation division, which provides an enhanced level of management and intervention for the most high-risk, complex and high-profile offenders in preparation for release and in the community. Probation staff work closely with Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), including with MAPPA nominals who are subject to Part 4 notification requirements. CTP has dedicated, specialist, trained Counter-Terrorism (CT) Nominal Management teams in place in England and Wales that support offender management functions in partnership with other agencies, including under MAPPA.