Select committee: Justice Committee
Conclusion 16
Seventh Report - The role of adult custodial remand in the criminal justice system
Published 17 Jan 2023
Paragraph 93
Addressed to Ministry of Justice
Justice Committee The role of adult custodial remand in the criminal justice system All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
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.
From: Justice Committee, Seventh Report - The role of adult custodial remand in the criminal justice system (HC 264), paragraph 93, 17 January 2023
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 31 March 2023 (deadline 17 March 2023).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The Government welcomes the report, says it is "already undertaking work on the majority" of the recommendations, and that some are accepted partially or in principle while others are "not within the Government's gift to accept".
- It rejects a rapid review of Crown Court case levels, saying that the potential effect on the remand population "has been modelled within our published prison population projections".
- On magistrates' training and pronouncement templates, it rejects the recommendations, saying that as the judiciary is independent it is "not appropriate for the Government" to direct training or review materials.
- It rejects a review of the legal framework for custody time limits, stating that the framework "is clear and effective" and that "There is no intention to review" it "at this time".
- On a Bail Information Service roll-out, it partially accepts, anticipating a dedicated and proactive service "could be rolled out to all courts and prisons from Summer 2023, subject to funding", with robust data published in early 2024 as its aim.