News, publications and events
CJG weekly round up, Issue 7
8.4.08
This message consolidates all of the announcements that have been made this week, relevant to the new Criminal Justice Group (CJG) of the Ministry of Justice. The links will enable you to access further information about each announcement.
Director General of the Criminal Justice Group
On January 29 2008 we announced a new organisational structure for the Ministry of Justice. The move into the five new business groups took effect from 1 April. The Criminal Justice Group brings together responsibility for delivering criminal law, sentencing policy and offender management strategy with OCJR’s responsibility for joining up the criminal justice system. It will also support the working group consulting on the establishment of a Sentencing Commission. The new Ministry of Justice structure and Corporate Management Board can be viewed at www.justice.gov.uk (new window).
Sponsorship of the Parole Board (new window)
From 1 April sponsorship of the Parole Board was transferred from the National Offender Management Service to the Access to Justice Group in the Ministry of Justice. Although responsibility for sponsorship of the Parole Board will remain within the Ministry, there will be a clear separation between responsibility for the Board's sponsorship and responsibility for the management of offenders.
New probation trusts (new window) and Probation Boards’ Association (new window) name change
Six new probation trusts have started work as part of the government's drive to further reduce re-offending and increase protection for the public. Trust status, introduced through the Offender Management Act 2007, will allow probation services more independence to focus their work on local communities and reduce re-offending while providing the same high level of service to the courts and oversight of offenders.
As a result, on the 1 April the Probation Boards' Association changed its name to the Probation Association. The Probation Association is the national employers’ organisation, working with and on behalf of probation boards and trusts.
Population in custody (monthly statistics) (new window)
Monthly statistical release presenting tables on the population in custody with summary figures on the population in prison establishments, police cells, secure children's homes and secure training centres.
End of custody licence releases and recalls statistics (monthly statistics) (new window)
Monthly statistical release on the numbers released from prison on end of custody licence and offenders recalled back to prison during the end of custody licence period.
Ministry of Justice capability review (new window)
The findings of the Ministry of Justice's Capability Review have been published by the Cabinet Office. The Capability Review assessed the Ministry of Justice's ability to meet both the challenges it faces today and those it will face in the future. The review looked at how well the department delivers its objectives, examined its overall strategy and looked at how well its leaders perform.
Jack Straw confirms expansion of dedicated drugs courts (new window)
Jack Straw has confirmed that drug courts, dedicated to tackling drug misuse and related crime, are to be extended to up to four more magistrates' courts. He was speaking as an evaluation report was published showing that the drug court model is effective at cutting reoffending rates.
David Hanson's speech at youth crime conference (new window)
On 3 April Justice Minister David Hanson gave a speech at an annual youth crime conference organised by Nacro.
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act comes into force (new window)
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act came into force on 6 April.Under the new law companies, organisations and, for the first time, government bodies face a criminal offence and larger fines if they are found to have caused death due to their gross corporate health and safety failures.
This message has been sent to a list of external bodies and individuals who have an interest or involvement in the MoJ Criminal Justice Group.
If you have queries about any of the above please contact the CJG Communication Team.
