HMCPSI, the inspectorate for the CPS, has published a summary of the trends appearing from its two year-long review of CPS Areas across England and Wales, known as the Area Assurance Programme (AAP). Bringing together the inspection reports of individual Areas provides the opportunity to review the overall strengths and weaknesses of the CPS as a whole. It is the first time such an overview of the CPS nationally has been made available.

While leadership was found to be strong nationally there was cause for concern about casework handling. Inspections found that between first appearance and trial, in many cases the CPS did not manage progress effectively and too much work was left until a late stage. Although this did not happen in every case, inspectors were concerned that a last minute approach was taken in too many cases.

Leadership
Inspectors found that the majority of CPS Areas assessed are being effectively led and managed. Most Areas also have effective staff engagement and demonstrate actions that are consistent with CPS values. Areas recognise that good communication is critical to effective leadership and a number of inspection reports identify examples of good practice and strengths in how Areas communicate with their staff.

Public engagement
On public engagement, inspectors found that most CPS Areas were good at engaging their local community and using feedback to improve their service. However, when it came to communicating with victims, inspectors found areas where improvement was needed with issues with the quality, accuracy, timeliness and empathy of letters sent to victims and witnesses.

Continuous improvement and efficiency
Inspectors found a mixed picture when it came to continuous improvement and efficiency. In general, CPS Areas were focussed on continuous improvement of performance and in some Areas this was firmly rooted. However, this was not common across all Areas, with some not using performance information to drive improvement. The focus on financial control in all Areas is effective and budgetary control and governance processes are working well.

Commenting on the report, Chief Inspector Kevin McGinty said:

“The CPS needs to show continuously that it adds value to the criminal justice process. This is about getting the right cases before the courts, ensuring that disclosure has been dealt with appropriately and progressing cases efficiently to ensure cases are trial ready at the earliest opportunity. This report assesses the CPS’s achievement of those goals.

“It is encouraging that leadership, staff engagement and public engagement were found to be strengths of the CPS. But the CPS needs to improve on the timely review of casework if it is to reduce delays and inefficiencies in the trial process. It also needs to work more on improving how it communicates with victims of crime.”