News
Guildford Crown Court all set to open its doors to the public
The Surrey public will get a unique opportunity to gain an insight into how the Criminal Justice Process operats when Guildford Crown Court opens its doors on Saturday 28th February 2009 between 10.00am - 4.00pm.
The day which will be officially opened by the High Sheriff, Sally Varah and attended by the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Jennifer Jordan aims to raise awareness and provide people with a better understanding of the Criminal Justice System.
There are many things lined up for the day including the opportunity for the public to watch mock court room scenarios as well as having hte chance to become a juror or magistrate or participate in sentencing. Cell tours will be available and a Priosn Van will be on hand for people to have a closer look around. Other highlights will include fingerprinting, police dogs and a demonstration on how tagging is used.
Some judiciary will be presiding in court including Resident Judge, His Honour Judge Critchlow and they will be assisting with the mock trials.
The Open Day is a great opportunity to engage witht he local community and highlight how Criminal Justice Agencies in Surrey are working to tackle and reduce crime, support victims and witnesses and provide and efficient and effective service.
For further information please call the SCJB secretariat on 01483 468332.
Surrey celebrates hard work and dedication of staff and volunteers
Surrey Criminal Justice Board is to host its second award ceremony for Criminal Justice staff and volunteers. The local justice awards recognise the achievements of those working in the criminal justice system and it is a great opportunity to commend those who have gone the extra mile.
Frontline staff and members from volunteer organisations will celebrate their success at the local event.
Portia Ragnauth, Chair of Surrey Criminal Justice Board said: " I am delighted that we can once again highlight the exemplary work that is being carried out in the Criminal Justice arena across Surrey."
The categories range from working with victim and witnesses through to a long service award fro continued commitment and dedication.
Making Surrey aware of Prolific and Priority Offenders
An event to showcase the success of the Surrey Prolific and Priority Offender (PPO) scheme has been held in Surrey. The day hosted by Surrey Criminal Justice Board, Surrey Community Safety Team and Surrey Police was held in January and opened by Yvette Ball, Chief Probation Officer for Surrey.
The aim of the event was to raise the profile of the work being carried out by Criminal Justice agencies including the Police, Probation and Prison Service and partners such as the The Crime and Reduction Partnerships when dealing with Prolific and Priority Offenders.
During the morning there were presentations at the vent on the special Premium Service Protocol, which ensures offenders' needs in relation to housing, education, drugs, alcohol and finance are addressed to divert them form criminal behaviour. Delegates were also invited to speak to other supporting agencies such as Surrey Community Action and Surrey Job Match.
Yvette Ball, Chief Probation Officer for Surrey said; "This event highlights the joined-up approach Surrey ahs adopted to tackle persistent offending. We look at the whole picture when dealing with Prolific and Priority Offenders and work in partnership to ensure all the underlying issues are addressed."
Surrey Criminal Justice Board and local crime reduction partnerships are commitetd to dealing with Prolific and Priortiy Offenders.
A first for Surrey – human trafficking case success
The Criminal Justice Agencies in Surrey have proved yet again they are committed to dealing with crime and bringing offenders to justice in a recent human trafficking case.
The case, the first of its kind in the Guildford area was centred on offences of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, including rape and blackmail as well as controlling prostitution for gain. The victim, a young polish student was subjected to repeated rape and threats of violence and was forced to work as a prostitute in return for payment for her university fees.
Following the trial at Guildford Crown Court the defendants, were found guilty of the offences and sentenced to 10 years and 7 years imprisonment respectively.
Neil Sweet, head of the Crown Court Unit at CPS Surrey said: “This case represents a successful conclusion to a difficult and complex case with the various agencies within the Criminal Justice System working together in partnership providing support to the complainant who returned from Poland to give evidence which showed a considerable amount of courage and determination.”
This is a great example of the efficient and effective multi-agency working that is being carried out in Surrey.
Portia Ragnauth, Chief Crown Prosecutor and Vice Chair Surrey Criminal Justice Board said: Human trafficking is abhorrent to society and must not be tolerated. It is gratifying to see all agencies working together to enable justice to be brought for this victim.”
This case certainly highlights how all parties can work together to deal with this particular group of offenders, support the victim and witnesses and ensure justice is served.
Surrey Justice staff and volunteers get local recognition
Criminal Justice staff and volunteers from all over Surrey attended a local justice awards event in January. The event, also attended by the Solicitor General Vera Baird, QC, was held to recognise and thanks the hardwork and achievements of those who work in the criminal justice system.
Surrey Criminal Justice Board Members with Vera Baird
Frontline staff and volunteers celebrated their successes as they were presented their awards by Ms Baird at Farnham Castle. She congratulated the winners on their dedication and support as well as their commitment.
Karen Page, Chief Probation Officer and Chair of Surrey Criminal Justice Board said: "Surrey Justice Awards help us to recognise the excellent work that is being carried out by CJS staff and volunteers all of which makes a real difference to ensuring justice is being done."
The event proved to be a fun day for all with people invited to network and meet fellow colleagues who work in Surrey.
CJSSS - making a real difference
CJSSS was introduced to Surrey in September 2007 and since then we seen success in the county's magistrates' courts.
CJSSS is designed to make justice faster, more efficient and more effective as well as improve the Criminal Justice System for victims, witnesses and offenders and the public. The result is to reduce the number of magistrates' courts hearings from an average of five or six to just one or two and cut the time taken to deal with cases to six weeks or less.
The success of CJSSS has been that all parties turn up to court ready to make progress, even the defendants. The intitiative has improved the service the Criminal Justice System provides to the public. Now at the first hearing issues are being challenged and special measures are being identified and flagged up at an early stage.
Intermediaries - helping vulnerable witnesses
A new initiative has been intoduced in Surrey to provide an effective tool to help deal with vulnerable witnesses. The Intermediaries scheme is one of a number of special measures introduced by the 'Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999' . The aim is to provide someone - an Intermediary - to assist a vulnerable witness communicate when brought into the system.
Intermediaries can assist a witness who is under 17, or whose eveidence could be diminished because they have a mental disorder or suffer with learning or physical disabilities understand questions as well as help them respond. They can carry out this role at any stage of the criminal justice process.
Intermediaries are professionals who have experience in dealing with people with different needs whether physical or mental. They will have completed a rigorous assessment process and they will abide by a code of practice. The idea is that they improve access to justice for vulnerable people as well as providing a useful service to criminal justice practitioners.
By providing practical information about witness needs they can improve decision making in a case.
If you would like further information on the scheme then please contact SCJB secretariat on 01483 468332.