News, publications and events
CJG weekly round up, Issue 8
14.4.08
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.
Best Value consultation (new window)
On 9 April David Hanson MP, Minister of State for Justice, launched a consultation to establish how Probation Boards and Trusts will provide the most cost-effective route to help rehabilitate and punish offenders. During the passage of the Offender Management Act 2007, the Government signalled a move away from a regime in which probation areas sub-contract a specified proportion of their work. Instead, they will be adopting a system of Best Value similar to that used by local government. Under this model, Probation Boards and Trusts will need to ensure that services are continuously improved by the provider delivering the best value for money from the public, private or voluntary sector. The consultation will run until 2 July 2008 to ensure a comprehensive framework is established for all Trusts and Boards to use in the future.
Reforming the probation service, David Hanson (Guardian Society 9.4.08) (new window)
A blog published on 9 April, David Hanson MP, Minister for Justice, talks about the changes to the probation service and the creation of probation trusts.
Following the publication of the NAO report (new window) on the supervision of community orders by the NPS on 31 January, an action plan has been produced that details how the NPS are addressing the findings of the report. This action plan, as a spreadsheet has been published on the NPS website. A Public Accounts Committee hearing on the subject will take place on 24 April.
Annual sentencing statistics (new window)
On 10 April the Annual National Statistics release was published presenting long term trends in sentencing. Both indictable and summary offences are addressed. Trends in custody, community sentences, fines and other disposals are presented with separate figures for magistrates' courts and the Crown Court. Gender and age based sub-groupings are presented as well as sentence length breakdowns and criminal histories.
Extension of Anne Owers’ appointment as Chief Inspector of Prisons
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has announced that Anne Owers’ appointment as HM Chief Inspector of Prisons has been extended. Ms Owers has been Chief Inspector since August 2001. Her Majesty the Queen has approved an extension of Ms Owers appointment to 31 March 2010. HM Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales is a statutory independent body which reports on conditions in prisons, young offender institutions and places of immigration detention.
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.
