Recommendation 121

We also heard that “the greater use of appropriate and well-supervised out of court disposals is an option in that area”. 237 Phil Bowen told us about a service in Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court provided by the Centre for Justice Innovation, primarily targeted at people “who are constantly getting fines but cannot pay them”. 238 The service provides “advice, support and referral” to other services in a way that the Probation Service would only provide to someone on a community order. Courtney Bryan, Executive Director, US Center for Justice Innovation, told us about “early diversion” mechanisms in New York State: people who committed “low-level misdemeanours” are referred by the police to the US Center for Justice Innovation, where they “complete a brief service” before “their case is dismissed”, without appearing before a court. 239 She told us that they witnessed “tremendous compliance”. 240