Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Deferred
Paragraph: 52
Devote sufficient resources to reduce post-conviction sentencing delays and improve judicial capacity
Recommendation
Those convicted but awaiting sentencing are not subject to custody time limits. It is, therefore, all the more important that the Government devotes sufficient resources to reduce delays to sentencing post-conviction. For example, the Government should ensure resources are available for the timely delivery of pre-sentence reports and sufficient judicial capacity to enable judges to sentence defendants as soon as they are able. The Government should also examine the reasons for the increase in the number of convicted defendants awaiting sentence and consider whether there are any procedural or technological reforms that could reduce delays.
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation, but the response focused on the lack of policy intention to create remand-only prisons, the increase in the remand population due to court backlogs, and how it is managing prison capacity, rather than committing to specific actions to reduce post-conviction sentencing delays.
Paragraph Reference:
52
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We accept this recommendation. There is no policy intention to redesignate any prisons into a remand-only function. In November 2022 the remand population reached approximately 14,700. The significant increase in this population represents the lasting impact of the court backlog, resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and last year’s industrial action by the Criminal Bar Association. Men on remand are held in reception prisons. A reception cohort is made up of people on remand (including those who are convicted and awaiting a sentence), people recalled to custody, newly sentenced prisoners awaiting transfer to their next prison and those on the shortest sentences. All reception prisons also provide a resettlement function, which focuses on preparing men for release into the local community. Due to the national increase in the remand population, the majority of reception prisons have seen an increase in the number of people on remand they are holding. However, we continue to monitor the level of the remanded population across the reception estate and are taking steps to ensure that reception prisons can continue to serve the courts and to make the best possible use of the available capacity. We anticipate the remand population will reduce as the courts continue to address the backlog of cases.