News and Events
Event Notice
Court Open Day
Saturday, 18th October 2008 from 1030 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. at Carlisle Combined Court, Earl Street, Carlisle
As part of this year's Inside Justice Week, Her Majesty's Courts Service is providing an opportunity for the public to see what goes on at the Combined Court (criminal and civil cases) in Carlisle. Visitors we be able to:
- Tour the courtrooms, cells and prisoner transport vehicles;
- Meet Judges, magistrates, barristers and court staff - find out what their jobs entail
- Take part in a 'You be the Judge' event - running at various times during the day
- Learn about forensic science and how it assists the justice process
- Find out more about Small Claims, Divorce, Bankruptcy and Mediation hearings
- Visit a range of display stands by criminal and civil justice agencies
No need to book a place, just turn up on the day!
Event Notice
Court Open Day
Saturday, 13th September 2008 from 10.30 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. at Penrith Magistrates' Court, Hunter Lane, Penrith
Opportunity to look at what goes on in the court, get information, ask questions, plus see various display stands from criminal justice agencies.
Just turn up on the day!
Event Notice
You Be The Judge - Sentencing Event
Date and time:
Wednesday, 11th June 2008 starting at 5.30 p.m. and expected to finish no later than 8.00 p.m.
(Light refreshments will be served from 5.00 p.m.)
Venue:
Carlisle Combined Court, Earl Street, Carlisle, CA1 1DJ
Her Majesty’s Courts Service – Cumbria & Lancashire Area, is hosting an event to increase public knowledge and understanding of sentencing within the Magistrates' and Crown Courts. The event is open to agencies, groups and individuals with an interest in the criminal justice system.
A panel, consisting of representatives from the Judiciary in Cumbria, senior members of staff from Her Majesty's Courts Service, the Crown Prosecution Service and a representative of Defence Counsel, will talk you through their respective roles within the context of a court hearing or trial.
You will hear about real cases (suitably anonymised) and have your chance to vote on what you think the appropriate sentence should be based on the facts and circumstances described to you. After voting, the actual sentence passed in the case will then be revealed to you. There will be an opportunity to pose questions to the panel following each case and also at the conclusion of the event.
To request a place at the event please contact Wendy Binks: telephone (01768) 217655 or e-mail wendy.binks@cumbria.police.uk
Please submit requests by Friday, 30th May 2008.
Numbers are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Event Report
Question Time - Carlisle
The Criminal Justice Board held its first ‘Question Time’ event at Tullie House Lecture Theatre in Carlisle on the evening of 8th April.
Based on the BBC programme of the same name, the event gave the public the opportunity to pose questions on crime and justice related topics in an open forum. Questions were handed in just before the event started and then grouped into similar themes to ensure a range of topics could be covered during the time available.
Independently chaired by Ashley Tiffen from the University of Cumbria, the question and answer session allowed Board agency representatives to put forward their responses to the matters raised and then the floor was opened to additional comments from the audience.
Topics covered on the night included: balancing punishment and rehabilitation; community sentences as a deterrent; putting victims at the heart of the criminal justice system; alcohol and drug abuse issues; the impact of inspections; improving the conviction rate for rape cases; and improving public confidence in the system.
All of those who attended were given an information pack about the Board to take away.
Event Notice
Question Time
The Board is hosting a ‘Question Time’ style event in north Cumbria, which is open to agencies, groups and individuals with a working interest in the local criminal justice system, and members of the public. Questions to be discussed must relate to crime or a criminal justice topic, though please note that individual criminal cases cannot be discussed for reasons of confidentiality.
A Panel made up of senior representatives from each of the Board’s member agencies will take part and will answer questions from the audience attending the event. As with the BBC Question Time programmes, questions will need to be submitted in advance of the start of the event, either on the night or earlier, and will be raised through the independent Panel Chairman (to be appointed). There will be some opportunity to discuss the issues arising from the questions submitted. Please note that similar questions may be grouped together to avoid duplication of answers.
The event will take place on Tuesday, 8th April 2008 at Tullie House Museum Lecture Theatre, Castle Street, Carlisle starting at 6.30 p.m.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided and be served from 6.00 p.m. onwards. The event will conclude no later than 8.00 p.m.
ENTRY IS BY TICKET ONLY. Places are limited and tickets will be allocated on a ‘first come’ basis.
If you would like to attend the event, please request a place by telephoning the Board on (01768) 217655 or e-mail ‘ccjbenquiries@cumbria.police.uk’.
Justice Quiz
Thank you to everyone who attended the Barrow Court Open Day and took part in our Justice Quiz. Entries closed on 14th November.
The winner of the First Prize, a £25 book token, is Janice Skelton of Barrow-in-Furness.
The winner of the Second Prize, a £10 book token, is Madison Hulston, also of Barrow-in-Furness.
The prize winners were drawn from those entries received that were fully correct. A copy of the quiz question sheet with the correct answers highlighted can be downloaded by clicking here. Please note that we are unable to return completed entries or give out individual scores.
Winners will receive their prizes by post in the near future.
Event Report
Inside Justice Week 2007 - Barrow Court Open Day
Almost 400 people, including many local school children and college students, attended the Barrow Court Open Day on 7th November. This event, forming part of our contribution to Inside Justice Week 2007, gave the public the opportunity to see first hand some of what goes on in a magistrates' court and meet some of the personnel involved in the criminal justice process.
There were mock trials, tours of the cells, demonstrations of the video-link used for evidence giving by vulnerable witnesses, forensic science and fingerprinting demonstrations (courtesy of staff and students from the University of Cumbria, Newton Rigg Campus) , electronic tagging (courtesy of G4S), agency stands, giveaways, charity raffle and refreshments. Other activities included a prize Justice Quiz, colouring competition and Wordsearch puzzle.
Radio Cumbria's 'Breakfast Show' gave the event a good send off by broadcasting a live piece from the cells and interviewing a local magistrate and member of court staff just before the event opened.
Cumbria Criminal Justice Board would like to thank HM Courts Service for agreeing to host the event and all the individuals, agencies and organisations that attended on the day and made the event a real success.
Event Notice
Inside Justice Week 2007 - local activities
1. Her Majesty's Court Service, in conjunction with Cumbria Criminal Justice Board, are hosting an Open Day at Barrow Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 7th November.
The Open Day runs from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. and will feature:
- Visits to the Court cells;
- See inside a prison van;
- Witness a mock trial in the courtroom;
- Meet the Magistrates, find out what is involved in their work and how to apply to become one;
- G4S electronic tagging demonstration;
- Fingerprinting and forensic science demonstration;
- Displays from the police and other local criminal justice agencies, with staff on hand to answer queries;
- Exhibits by agencies and organisations undertaking crime-related work, such as the Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service;
- Competitions;
- Light refreshments available - in support of a local charity.
2. A multi-agency team will be present in the Lanes Shopping Centre, Carlisle on Wednesday, 7th November, with a display stand and staff available to answer queries. Contact Allison Robinson, Carlisle Crown Court Manager, for more information. Telephone (01228) 520619 or e-mail allison.robinson@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk.
3. During the week, HM Courts Service and Cumbria Constabulary will be launching a new poster and writing competition for Year 6 primary school pupils across the whole of the county. Under the theme 'Do you know right from wrong', children will be able to draw, paint, write a story or compose a poem. The competition will close in February 2008 and entries will be judged by a panel, including a Judge, magistrate and police and court representatives. A prize of £200 will go the winning class, with £100 for the runners-up. Schools are being contacted directly for entries, but you may contact Carol Eland, North Cumbria Divisional Court Manager, for more information if required. Telephone (01228) 520619 or e-mail carol.eland@hmcourts-service.gsi.gov.uk.
Event Notice
'End Abuse in Our Communities'
An event organised by the Cumbria Domestic Violence Partnership (CDVP). Launch of the specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme and Cumbria's co-ordinated community response to tackling domestic violence.
Wednesday, 19th September 2007 at Carlisle Civic Centre, Council Chambers, from 12.30 p.m. until 3.00 p.m.
Guest speakers will include John Dunworth, Head of the Inter Personal Violence Team at the Home Office and Diana Barran, from Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse ('CAADA').
The aim of Cumbria Domestic Violence Partnership (CDVP) is to:
- Improve the lives and opportunities for individuals and families affected by domestic violence and abuse;
- Deliver improvement and excellence in domestic violence services to fit the nature and communities of Cumbria.
Event contact is julia.marshall@cumbria.probation.gsi.gov.uk