Inside Justice Week 2009
Dorset public go inside justice during week of events 2009.
Inside Justice Week is a national campaign aimed at increasing the public’s knowledge and confidence in the criminal justice system.
During the week of the 19th October 2009 agencies involved within the Criminal Justice System within Dorset, put on several events to which members of the public were invited.
On Monday 19th October at Poole Magistrates - Her Majesty's Court Services opened their doors to the public for 
a " You be the Judge " Event. Over 40 people attended to listen to the panel explaining how sentencing worked and then followed a case from beginning to end and gave their opinions on how the defendant should be dealt with. The panel was made up of representatives from Dorset Police, The Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty's Court Services including two magistrates, Victim Support and Dorset Probation Area. The public listened to two cases and on each occasion the options open to the magistracy were explained and other agencies offered support and direction. On each occasion the public voted before and after hearing the evidence and on all occasions some of the public changed their minds on how the offenders should be dealt with. Helen McDavid Community Engagement Project Co-ordinator commented how pleased she was with the attendance and also the fact that 47% of the people who attended felt more confident in the Criminal Justice system based on the responses received at the end of the evening. At the end of the evening 94% of those people surveyed thought the event was either good or excellent. If you would like a " You be the Judge" event in your community please send an e-mail to the address below.
On Tuesday the 20th October 1st year law students at Bournemouth University were treated to a virtual tour of the Dorset Criminal Justice System. As they sat there waiting for a contract lecture one of the " students " who was really Dave Wrixton, a reporter, from Wessex FM got very annoyed and ended up being arrested by an officer from Dorset Police who just happened to be walking by the lecture theatre!! As he was walked out a DVD began to play and with personal inputs from all members of the Dorset Criminal Justice System the students saw Dave Wrixton arrested, booked into custody, prosecuted by the CPS, sentenced by Ted Stevens chair of the East Dorset Magistrates, and finally booked into HMP Dorchester. A very in depth input was given by Kate Mathias from Dorset Probation and an ex offender also informed the students of his previous life and what actions he was taking to get his life back on the rails. Sue Warnock senior lecturer commented that the students reaction to this event had been superb and that they would now have a better understanding of the justice system and see opportunities for themselves once they had finished their course.
On the same day at the Dolphin Centre Poole Her Majesty's Court Services had a stand outside Beales and engaged the public in 
conversations about what HMCS did, how to become an magistrate, and also through understanding the publics concerns, improve their confidence in the courts system. Again based on the publics reaction this day was felt to be have been a success.
If you have any ideas for Inside Justice Week 2010, or would like to get your local community school or NHW scheme involved in any activity please contact the Dorset Criminal Justice Board at lcjb@dorset.pnn.police.uk
The tab to the left entitled "Get involved in the CJS" will show you all the opportunities you can become involved with.