CJS Quarterly Performance Figures now available

The latest CJS Performance figures have now been published online and relate to a number of subjects including:

• Efficiency and Effectiveness of the CJS in Bringing Offences to Justice
• Public confidence in the Fairness and Effectiveness of the CJS
• Victim and Witness Satisfaction with the CJS
• Victim Satisfaction with the Police
• Addressing Race Disproportionality
• Asset Recovery

The data includes an assessment of local and national performance against the new PSA 24 measures.

'You have the right NOT to remain silent' the public is told

Justice Seen, Justice Done is a cross-government programme that addresses public concerns about crime and justice, responding directly to many of the issues outlined in the Review Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime by Louise Casey (June 2008). A key element of the programme is supporting police action to promote the national Policing Pledge and deliver a better service to the public. The Pledge is a key vehicle for the police to help raise public awareness and gives the public a set of national minimum standards that they can expect from their local police.The information now available includes response times, online crime maps and the results of offenders to those brought to justice in their local communities. Another key aspect of the programme is communication. Now, with just a few clicks of a mouse, the public can contact their local Neighbourhood Police team, get information about local meetings, learn more about the policing priorities in their area and find out what they can do to tackle crime. Key groups within the community will receive specific information to help them hold the police to account for delivering the Pledge and the programme is also being publicised in the media.

Dates for Inside Justice Week and Justice Awards announced

Two of the most important dates in the criminal justice calendar can now be confirmed. Inside justice Week, during which courts, prisons and police stations around the country open their doors to members of the public, is taking place from Saturday 17 October until Saturday 24 October 2009. The prestigious Justice Awards ceremony, which recognises the commitment and dedication of the frontline staff and volunteers in the CJS, is taking place that same week, on Tuesday 20 October. More information will be made available in future editions of the CJS Alert.

Neuberger review recognises 'amazing contribution and dedication of CJS volunteers'

The recently published review of volunteering across the Criminal Justice System by Baroness Julia Neuberger praises the work of the thousands of volunteers in the CJS: “There are many situations where volunteers can add value – be that a passion, a personal touch or a claim to independence,” she writes in the introduction to her report. She acknowledges the vital role volunteers play in providing frontline services to victims and witnesses and in providing justice within their local communities. Volunteering, she contends, is the “ultimate form of community engagement” and has the potential to rehabilitate offenders, offer a route to employment and create “an awareness of good citizenship.” Ministers have welcomed the report and the Government response explains how we will build on the work we are already doing to strengthen volunteering in the CJS. Justice Minister Shahid Malik, has been appointed Volunteering Champion for the CJS and is working with criminal justice agencies to make the case for volunteering and identify where we can make a real difference. LCJBs have a key role to play in this and we would very much welcome your suggestions. More information is available from Robert Ritchie, who is leading for OCJR.

New protection and funding for victims of human trafficking

Two new initiatives will help improve the lives of victims of human trafficking. On 1 April, The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, ratified by the UK in December 2008, comes into force. This gives certain rights to victims, including access to accommodation, counselling and services. For victims who are not UK citizens, the Convention will also see the introduction of a ‘reflection period’ and new temporary one-year residence permits. Many victims do not see themselves as such and are often reluctant to report offences so the onus is on frontline practitioners to identify and refer victims. To assist, the Government is introducing a new National Referral mechanism; a co-ordinated multi-agency approach to helping with victim identification and support. CJS agencies will work in partnership with Third Sector organisations and the UK Border Agency to make referrals to a designated ‘Competent Authority’ (the decision making body), to help assess if there are reasonable grounds to believe someone is a victim, whether or not they have formally reported a crime or made a statement. A second initiative, a new £3.7 million Government grant to the Poppy Project will help more victims of human trafficking in the UK escape from prostitution and domestic servitude and live safe from threats, physical violence and crime. More information.

Bad character provisions can strengthen 'sound' prosecution cases, report finds

New research into the impact of bad character provisions on the courts, first introduced as part of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, has been carried out and is available online. The research was overseen by an interdepartmental steering group and included representatives from agencies as well as a judge. The report itself has also been independently peer reviewed and approved by the head of OCJR’s Evidence & Analysis Unit.The main findings were that: the CPS was successful in presenting previous convictions as evidence of bad character; bad character provisions were strengthening cases where other evidence was strong, not bolstering weak cases; the new rules have not negatively impacted the balance between the prosecution and the defence nor adversely affected the Persistent Young Offenders Pledge, black and minority ethnic groups and witnesses; and finally, magistrates and juries were able to distinguish between the facts of a case and a defendant’s record. The report makes no recommendations to central government but there are implications for key criminal justice agencies and OCJR will work with these to improve implementation of the legislation. More information.

Government accepts recommendations for improving assistance for young witnesses 

The Government has now published its response to the consultation ‘Improving Criminal Trial Process for Young Witnesses’ and accepted its key recommendations. The proposals feature in the Coroners and Justice Bill, which is currently going through Parliament. These include: greater choice in how evidence is given; enshrining in law the practice of permitting witnesses, at the court’s discretion, to have a supporter join them in the TV link room;  increasing the age limit for automatic eligibility for special measures to under-18s and allowing vulnerable defendants intermediary assistance in giving evidence, when necessary, to ensure a fair trial. The Government has also agreed to implement video-recorded pre-trial cross-examination, subject to the successful development of rules of procedure and practitioner guidance. Previous Government initiatives to help young witnesses have included the issue of updated practitioner guidance, ‘Achieving Best Evidence’, a Young Witness Pack, a Code of Practice for Victims of Crime and a Witness Charter. This required agencies to work together to provide an enhanced service to all vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. More information.