Inside Justice Week 2008
The fifth Inside Justice week in Staffordshire took place between 18 - 25 October 2008 where the general public and specially invited audiences attended 14 events across 12 different venues, providing a unique glimpse into the Criminal Justice System (CJS) across the county.
Members of the public were invited to go behind the scenes of the local criminal justice agencies which included the Magistrates' Courts in Burton on Trent and Tamworth, the Crown Court in Stafford, Police Headquarters in Stafford and Drake Hall Prison in Eccleshall - whilst criminal justice agency exhibitors included the Crown Prosecution Service, Local Criminal Justice Board, Probation Service and Staffordshire Youth Offending Services.
Partner organisations also exhibited including the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership together with the Domestic Violence Coordinator and Street Warden from local authorities, Camera Safety Partnership, Education Service, Fire & Rescue Service, Health Service, Housing Association, Legal Services Commission, Magistrates’ Association, Neighbourhood Watch, Victim Support including the Witness Service, Women’s Aid and the Youth Services.
With a coordinated programme of events the aim was to reach the general public as well as criminal justice agency staff and the local press and media - to increase their knowledge and confidence in the criminal justice system.
Many who come into contact with the CJS do so unwillingly, for example, as a victim of crime. Opening up the system with events such as police open days and mock trials in courts, can help people to understand its how agencies and volunteers work together to make the system better. Ultimately it’s an opportunity to explain why it matters and encourage individuals and communities to engage with the CJS to help the agencies deliver justice, and also to:
- Encourage people to get involved by publicising the range of career and volunteering opportunities available in the Criminal Justice System
- Inform people about the support available should they come into contact with the justice system, either as a victim or witness.
- Increase people’s knowledge and understanding of the Criminal Justice System
The week kicked off on Friday 17 October with a Health and Citizenship Day at Cannock High School where year 10 pupils attended presentations and workshops throughout the day run by agencies and partners.
Also on Friday, local councillors from Cannock Chase District Council and Stafford Borough Council were welcomed by the Police Authority and Chief Constable Chris Sims at the Police Headquarters in Stafford. This was followed by a series of presentations about managing our night-time economy, safer roads - safer lives, tackling anti-social behaviour, how calls are handled, Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board and stamping out drug activity through project Nemesis.
Saturday 18 October featured Operation Impact in St Bertelin’s Church, Holmcroft, Stafford where communities from Tillington and Holmcroft, CJ agencies, partners and the local authority, Stafford Borough Council worked together to make the neighhbourhoods cleaner, safer and greener. Tillington Manor Primary School took part in a whole school litter pick in the school grounds and a big tidy up and clear out in the classrooms and corridors. They filled two skips and four people carriers with rubbish for recycling including old furniture.
Interviews with press and media and the various criminal justice agencies took place on Sunday 19 October and throughout the week - to listen to interview recordings with representatives from the Probation Service, Saltbox Community Chaplains, Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board, Stoke-on-Trent Youth Offending Services and Victim Support, please click here (link coming soon!).
On Monday 20 October CJ agencies and partners went out to meet the public. Based in the Avon Business and Community Centre in Cannock the public were able to see what Magistrates do, what’s being done to tackle Domestic Violence, understand what the Crown Prosecution Service does, meet their local Street Warden, see how the Probation Service works, talk to their neighbourhood poling team and meet drugs dog Winston, meet staff working in the Youth Offending Services, understand what Victim Support and the Witness Service does, find out about careers in the Criminal Justice System with Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board and visit the Women’s Aid organisation and the Youth Service.
On the same day Magistrates also went into Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College to give a presentation to Social & Health Diploma students on anti-social and offending behaviour and sentencing.
Also on the Monday, Criminal Justice Agency staff were able to take part in a tour of Drake Hall (Women's) Prison, Eccleshall, near Stafford which provided a valuable insight into custody facilities and the rehabilitation and resettlement programmes.
Tuesday 21 October saw the Magistrates in the Community event take place at Burton-on-Trent Magistrates' Court.
On the same day Stafford Crown Court held an open evening for Brownies and their mothers.
On Wednesday 22 October a Magistrates in the Community event was held at Tamworth Magistrates' Court.
On Thursday 23 October the Magistrates’ Association and Probation Service delivered a Local Crime Community Sentencing event at Newcastle-under-Lyme enabling the Porthill Resident's Association to take part in mock trials, to find more about the Magistrates' court and how sentencing is delivered.
Friday 24 October featured the local Justice Awards in Lichfield - paying tribute and allowing invited friends, family, work colleagues and line managers to celebrate the success of local winners - for further information click here.
Chris Sims, Chair of Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board said: “This is a great opportunity to find out how the Criminal Justice System is working for everyone in Staffordshire. Victims and witnesses of crime are receiving a better service than ever through schemes like Witness Care Units. Offences are being dealt with more efficiently, and crime generally has fallen. I encourgage everyone to take the opportunity to come along in future and find out how the Criminal Justice System is ensuring justice for Staffordshire.”
Feedback confirms that the events have improved people’s confidence in the Criminal Justice System but for further information on Staffordshire Inside Justice Week events contact Martine Redpath 01785 235129 or email: martine.redpath@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk
