Recommendations & Conclusions
4 items
2
Conclusion
Seventh Report - The role of adult cus…
Accepted
The large number of people being remanded for non-violent offences suggests that many are being remanded due to repeat offending. This repeat non-violent offending is often symptomatic of underlying vulnerabilities, such as drug abuse, homelessness and mental ill-health, for which there is currently a lack of community provision. We believe …
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The large number of people being remanded for non-violent offences suggests that many are being remanded due to repeat offending. This repeat non-violent offending is often symptomatic of underlying vulnerabilities, such as drug abuse, homelessness and mental ill-health, for which there is currently a lack of community provision. We believe that there should be more co-ordinated investment across departments including the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education in community services to divert people from this repeated criminal activity before they reach the stage where the criminal justice system sees no option but to remand them into custody.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepted the recommendation, stating they are already working with the judiciary to consider the operation of the Bail Act 1976 and do not believe a further additional review of the Act is necessary. They did not commit to new co-ordinated investment in …
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Ministry of Justice
6
Conclusion
Seventh Report - The role of adult cus…
Accepted
Magistrates are responsible for hearing the majority of cases that lead to remanding to custody, and we heard that, particularly during the pandemic, the focus of training was on new ways of working and the use of technology. The application of the remand principles and the latest available alternatives to …
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Magistrates are responsible for hearing the majority of cases that lead to remanding to custody, and we heard that, particularly during the pandemic, the focus of training was on new ways of working and the use of technology. The application of the remand principles and the latest available alternatives to remand should be a focus in magisterial training.
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Government response AI summary
The government accepted the recommendation, outlining plans to improve pre-sentence report quality and delivery through a unified Probation Service, £155m additional funding, recruiting 1,500 trainee Probation Officers, and working with the judiciary on procedural and technological reforms to reduce delays.
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Ministry of Justice
16
Conclusion
Seventh Report - The role of adult cus…
Accepted
We are concerned by the high number of women placed on remand despite the often low risk that they pose to the public and the fact that many will not go on to receive a custodial sentence. The Ministry of Justice has acknowledged this is a problem, but more action …
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We are concerned by the high number of women placed on remand despite the often low risk that they pose to the public and the fact that many will not go on to receive a custodial sentence. The Ministry of Justice has acknowledged this is a problem, but more action needs to be taken to ensure that low-risk women receive the support The role of adult custodial remand in the criminal justice system 45 they need to await trial in the community rather than remanding them to custody, particularly if it is unlikely that they will receive a custodial sentence following trial. We would welcome an update on the progress on the Female Offender Strategy with regard to ensuring that custodial remand is not used as a default alternative where community provision is not available. We would also welcome an update on the commitment to provide specialist accommodation, finance and debt support for all women on remand or sentenced to custody, due to have commenced in summer 2022.
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Government response AI summary
The government detailed existing support for accommodation and homelessness and committed to extending Community Resettlement Service contracts for accommodation and Women’s Services to include unsentenced people in prison, noting that two regional contract extensions have already commenced.
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Ministry of Justice
20
Recommendation
Seventh Report - The role of adult cus…
Accepted
Custodial remand should only be used for those who are not suitable for alternatives, such as conditional bail or electronic monitoring. Greater engagement is needed between the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary on the alternatives currently available to custodial remand. The Government should ensure that judges and magistrates are …
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Custodial remand should only be used for those who are not suitable for alternatives, such as conditional bail or electronic monitoring. Greater engagement is needed between the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary on the alternatives currently available to custodial remand. The Government should ensure that judges and magistrates are aware of the proven effectiveness of these alternatives in order to instil confidence and to increase their usage.
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Government response AI summary
The government accepted the recommendation and detailed specific actions taken, including court outreach, awareness briefings to over 2,000 people, and the production of a video, committing to continue expanding engagement with the judiciary on electronic monitoring.
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Ministry of Justice