#008/2013 – Inspectors set out plans for examining justice system from 2013-2015

The four Criminal Justice Inspectorates – of Constabulary, the Crown Prosecution Service, Probation and Prisons – have today published their sixth business plan of joint inspections where two or more of our inspectorates are involved.

In 2012/13, the criminal justice system landscape developed with the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners and the Government’s emphasis on the rehabilitation agenda, reducing reoffending and protecting the public. There will also be a new criminal justice strategy during 2013.

HMCPSI Chief Inspector, Michael Fuller QPM, who is Chair of the Criminal Justice Chief Inspectors’ Group (CJCIG), said:

“Our joint programme for 2013–15 represents an extensive examination of key issues across a wide spectrum of criminal justice activity. We feel sure that those whose work we inspect will continue to respond positively to our reports, resulting in improved practice across the criminal justice system.”

Although the joint plan is published annually, the inspectorates work within a rolling two-year programme which allows them to set or review priorities at the start of each year but react flexibly to changing circumstances in-year and re-prioritise as necessary.

The two-year plan includes both a rolling programme of inspections, planned inspections and scoping exercises for future work. Fifteen inspections are currently either under way or likely to take place in 2013/14, including youth offending and police file quality. The 2013-15 programme includes five new proposed joint inspections scheduled over the next two years. These include:

Child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation

This inspection is set against the background of recorded child rape doubling in five years. The inspection will focus on child rape, sexual exploitation, sexual grooming, prostitution and pornography. The themes of the inspection will also review how agencies interact to protect children and ensure offenders are brought to justice.

Driving out waste

A joint inspection of the criminal justice process from arrest to conviction to identify those areas that may yield efficiency savings particularly in those areas where agencies interact and pinch points are identified causing inefficiency to one or more agencies.

ENDS

Notes to editors

  1. Media inquiries to HMCPSI press office: 020 7271 2484
  2. A copy of the full report can be found on the Criminal Justice Joint Inspection website: at http://www.hmcpsi.gov.uk/cjji/
  3. The Criminal Justice Chief Inspectors’ Group brings together four Inspectorates to undertake a programme of joint inspections across the criminal justice system.
  4. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) is an independent inspectorate, inspecting policing in the public interest, and rigorously examines the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces to tackle crime and terrorism, improve criminal justice and raise confidence. HMIC inspects all 43 police forces in England and Wales together with other major policing bodies.
  5. Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) is the independent inspectorate for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Its purpose is to enhance the quality of justice through independent inspection and assessment of prosecution services, and in so doing improve their effectiveness and efficiency. HMCPSI’s Chief Inspector reports directly to the Attorney General.
  6. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate which reports on the treatment and conditions for those held in prisons, young offender institutions and immigration facilities as well as a number of other custodial settings. The work of HMI Prisons constitutes an important part of the UK’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to have regular, independent inspection of places of custody.
  7. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation is an independent inspectorate which reports to the Secretary of State for Justice on the effectiveness of work with individual offenders, children and young people aimed at reducing reoffending and protecting the public, whoever undertakes this work under the auspices
    of the National Offender Management Service or the Youth Justice Board.