Local Initiatives
CURRENT JOINT INITIATIVES:
Service Improvements in Lincolnshire Magistrates’ Courts – ‘Simple Speedy, Summary Justice’ (CJSSS)
In October 2007 Lincolnshire Criminal Justice Board introduced Simple, Speedy, Summary Justice ("CJSSS") in Magistrates’ Courts, and the early signs of the impact of CJSSS in Lincolnshire are already extremely promising.
In cases where a defendant pleads guilty at the First Hearing, it is helpful to all concerned to finalise the case the same day, whenever possible. The national target is to dispose of 60% of such cases, and after three months Lincolnshire has successfully achieved 79%.
Full trial data is not yet complete, but here again the signs are extremely promising, with 76% of all cases where the defendant pleads not guilty at the First Hearing, leading to trial dates being fixed in court, without the need for another interim hearing. The full set of figures will be available in February 2008.
This joint agency initiative is already leading to fewer hearings being listed at court and fewer people therefore having to attend court as often. The cases are being dealt with quicker and less paperwork is going backwards and forwards between busy criminal justice agency staff.
Project Manager, Alan Philips said:
"It is a tribute to the Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Courts, Defence Solicitors and Probation staff that this project has started so well."
There are now 41 areas nationally that have fully implemented CJSSS and 1 Area with at least 1 site live.
Areas that have fully implemented CJSSS - Hampshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, Gwent, Cumbria, Durham, West Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Northumbria, Warwickshire, Cleveland, Gloucestershire, Derbyshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex Devon and Cornwall, North Wales, South Wales, London, Lancashire, Merseyside, Humber, North Yorkshire, Leicestershire, West Mercia, West Midlands, Staffordshire, Dyfed - Powys. Hertfordshire, Kent, Sussex, Thames Valley, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire.
LCJB Advisory Volunteer Panel (Victim and Witness Issues)
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The Panel is a unique, local initiative that was set up to give power to victims and witnesses, so that their feelings and opinions are represented throughout the criminal justice agencies in Lincolnshire.
The Panel received the top national 2007 Justice Award from Baroness Scotland in November last year. Their outstanding positive contribution for victims and witnesses in Lincolnshire was recognised nationally and used as the best practice example for the other counties. (click here for more on Justice Award 2007)
LCJB have successfully recruited new volunteers for the LCJB Advisory Panel on Victim and Witness Issues. Enlarged panel is currently carrying out a 2008 inspection, across Lincolnshire CJS agenciesPanel members were badly effected by serious crime. Despite of their personal misfortune they have bravely decided to share their experiences of the CJS to benefit the other victims. They are a group of passionate volunteers, who feel that they can make a positive contribution to local community and add value to quality of life in Lincolnshire for victims and witnesses. They give up their private time for free, to fulfil their vision of victim friendly CJS environment. Their tasks are to observe service delivery and identify what worked well for victims and witnesses and where the services could be improved. Members visit all the criminal justice partner agencies, and shadow front line staff. Panel makes recommendations for improvement as well as identifying difficulties that front line staff may be faced with. The panel is involved with staff training across CJS agencies, provides independent recruitment advice.
To date findings of the Panel have been accepted by the agencies and a number of initiatives are now underway in response.
- One of the greatest achievements of the Panel is enabling the LCJB to produce a thorough “Report on second victim and witness ‘shadowing’ project 2006 - 2007”. With the incentive to improve the quality of service to witnesses and victims of crime, Panel visited and observed how CJS agencies’ staff deal with victims and witnesses. This was a follow up from the first shadowing inspection carried out in 2005. The purpose of the second report was to assess improvements, following recommendations made by the Panel in the last report, identify areas of good practice, identify practices that could have a detrimental impact on victims and witnesses and evaluate whether the agencies comply with statutory obligations within the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime. This time consuming and demanding activity will in long term improve quality of care received by the victims.
- ‘The victim and witness experience’ training DVD, called ‘Changing Attitudes’ was produced to promote better practice in the criminal justice system and achieve the right outcomes from court processes. It is a fantastic training tool for the staff of all CJS agencies. It follows all stages of the criminal justice process and highlights experience of some of the Panel members, which illustrate what works well and what could be improved. Despite of overwhelming fear to relive their personal tragedies over and over again, they shared their deepest personal feelings with the audience. That was in aim to ensure the better understanding of victims and witnesses needs and improve CJS services for the future services’ users.
- Panel is involved in number of projects on Domestic Violence issues. Works closely with Witness Care unit, Victim and Witness Satisfaction delivery group under the umbrella of LCJB.
- Panel provides excellent consultation mechanism and allows humanising the CJS.
- The Panel also promotes the true spirit of inter-agency CJS joint working.
Current members felt that a lot of good has come out of the Panel.
Jean, who 3 years ago was a victim of serious crime, felt let down by the Criminal Justice System at the time. She has recently said: “…There are many new approaches to victims and witnesses, who are at last given centre stage instead of the villain.” She also added an appeal to Lincolnshire people: “…we need you to come forward to carry on what we have started, to bring fresh input on how to help victims and witnesses through a very difficult time.”
Jakki said that she joined the Panel, to prevent other victims of crime from experiencing some of the unpleasant things she did. “The process has had the advantage of helping me understand the current legal system... Meeting other people with similar experiences has helped me come to terms with what happened to me…” Jakki, like other existing members of the panel felt: worry, guilt, annoyance, anger, distress, rage, fear and powerlessness. She had to deal with questions: What if? If only? Why? Why me? She concluded with “your voice will be heard. Join us to help make a difference – I did!
LCJB Advisory Panel is there to:
- make a difference
- help other victims or witnesses
- improve the way the criminal justice system operates locally
For further information contact LCJB Secretariat on 01522 558570 or at info@justicelincs.gov.uk