The Intensive Supervision & Surveillance Programme (ISSP) is a special sentence for serious or prolific young offenders who are at risk of being sent to custody. It helps very troubled young people to turn their lives around.

ISSP can be part of Bail Supervision and Support, or it can be part of a sentence made by a Court. Some young people who are finishing custody sentences also go on ISSP to help them resettle in their community.

The York and North Yorkshire ISSP service provides 3 months of High Intensity supervision (at least 25 hours each week, supported by a home curfew and electronic tagging) for each young offender. If they stay out of trouble, they reduce to 5-10 hours of weekly supervision for another 3 months.

During this time, the young person is closely monitored by ISSP and YJS staff, by their local Police and by an electronic tag locked on their ankle. Failure to co-operate with the rules means going back to court, very quickly, and if the young person doesn’t show enough commitment to the programme they might be sent to custody instead.

Every young person has their own plan, tailored to tackle the root causes of their offending behaviour. The assessment starts from the risk of re-offending, but includes their needs, capabilities, interests and aspirations.

Supervision is provided 365 days a year, often outside of office hours and at weekends, so that we can respond to the needs of young people and minimise the risk they may pose to others.

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