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Select Committee · Justice Committee

Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on prison, probation and court systems

Status: Closed Opened: 31 Mar 2020 Closed: 29 Apr 2021 26 recommendations 16 conclusions 3 reports

This inquiry looked at the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on prisons, probation services, court systems and legal professions. Read the key points in an interactive summary of our four reports on the impact of coronavirus on the justice system .

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Reports

3 reports
Title HC No. Published Items Response
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the impact on the legal… HC 520 3 Aug 2020 16 Responded
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): The impact on prisons HC 299 27 Jul 2020 16 Responded
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on probation… HC 461 20 Jul 2020 10 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

6 items
1 Conclusion 4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th… Acknowledged

The Covid-19 pandemic poses an urgent threat to public health and safety.

The Covid-19 pandemic poses an urgent threat to public health and safety. It is an unprecedented situation that has required an immediate response by the prison service to protect the NHS and save lives. We praise the Prison Service and wider stakeholders for the vital work they are doing to … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government thanked the committee for its support and affirmed its continued efforts to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in custody and the community.
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Ministry of Justice
2 Conclusion 4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th… Acknowledged

The Committee recognise the necessity of the measures introduced to minimise the spread of the...

The Committee recognise the necessity of the measures introduced to minimise the spread of the virus and save lives and commend staff and prisoners for adapting to these changes. However, we do not believe that the current regime is sustainable in the long term and are concerned about the effect … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges concerns about the long-term sustainability and impact of the prison regime, outlining its National Framework for easing restrictions and detailing mitigations like increased testing and maintaining purposeful activity where safe.
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Ministry of Justice
14 Recommendation 4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th… Acknowledged

We recommend, however, that the Government investigate the reasons behind the relatively high level of...

We recommend, however, that the Government investigate the reasons behind the relatively high level of remand into custody and explain the reasons behind that, particularly given the pressures on the custodial estate during the coronavirus outbreak.

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the increased proportion of youth in custody on remand and attributes it to factors like a lower overall population and more serious offenses. It notes that courts are clearing backlogs and prioritizing youth cases.
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Ministry of Justice
3 Conclusion 7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the… Acknowledged

Publicly funded legal services providers were already under stress before coronavirus.

Publicly funded legal services providers were already under stress before coronavirus.

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the challenges faced by legal service providers by detailing a range of support measures introduced during the pandemic, including the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and various loan schemes, and commits to continuing to monitor the legal aid market.
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Ministry of Justice
6 Conclusion 7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the… Acknowledged

Small high street firms are particularly at risk from the effects of coronavirus restrictions.

Small high street firms are particularly at risk from the effects of coronavirus restrictions.

Government response AI summary
The government implicitly acknowledges the risks to small high street firms by detailing ongoing engagement with legal aid providers, revised guidance, and committing to an independently led review of the criminal legal aid market and broader reviews of civil legal aid to ensure market sustainability.
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Ministry of Justice
11 Conclusion 7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the… Acknowledged

It is important that the legal professions are in good shape to deal with the...

It is important that the legal professions are in good shape to deal with the increase in demand for legal advice and representation that is on the horizon.

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of a resilient legal profession by detailing a range of support measures introduced during the pandemic and committing to continuing to monitor the legal aid market as demand increases, taking necessary action to maintain access to justice.
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Ministry of Justice

Correspondence

80 letters
DateDirectionTitle
9 Mar 2021 — Letter dated 4 March 2021 from Sir Robert Neill MP, Chair, Justice Committee, t…
24 Feb 2021 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Stat…
24 Feb 2021 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, Attorney General, dated 9 February 2…
3 Feb 2021 To cttee Letter from Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for J…
3 Feb 2021 To cttee Letter from Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for J…
27 Jan 2021 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Stat…
19 Jan 2021 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Stat…
15 Jan 2021 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Stat…
16 Dec 2020 To cttee Letter from Chair to Foreign and Commonwealth Office, dated 16 December 2020, r…
15 Dec 2020 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Stat…
1 Dec 2020 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor & Secretary of State …
25 Nov 2020 To cttee Letter from Sir Robert Neill MP, Chair, Justice Committee, to Rt Hon Robert Buc…
13 Oct 2020 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, Attorney General, dated 7 October 20…
29 Sep 2020 To cttee Letter from Dame Anne Owers, National Chair, Independent Monitoring Boards, dat…
29 Sep 2020 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Stat…
16 Sep 2020 To cttee Letter from Chair to Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, Attorney General, dated 16 …
10 Sep 2020 To cttee Letter from Chair to Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretar…
9 Sep 2020 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Stat…
21 Jul 2020 — Written evidence from Fair Trials
21 Jul 2020 To cttee Letter from Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Stat…

Meetings & visits

1 item
DateTypeDetail
19 Jan 2021 Formal meeting — · Virtual meeting