News, publications and events
Criminal Justice Group weekly round up, Issue 13
19.5.08
This message consolidates all of the announcements and information released in the last week (ending 16 May), relevant to the new Criminal Justice Group (CJG) of the Ministry of Justice. The links will enable you to access further information about each announcement.
New Non-executive Directors
The Ministry of Justice new Non-Executive Directors have been announced. Carolyn Downs (new window) has been Chief Executive of Shropshire County Council for five years and is a member of the Lifting the Burdens Task Force appointed by Ruth Kelly. Anne Bulford (new window) joined Channel 4 as Group Finance Director in June 2005 from the Royal Opera House where she was Director of Finance & Business Affairs. David MacLeod (new window) is currently non-executive member of the Department for International Development and Ofsted. He is also senior associate of Towers Perrin and visiting professor of the Cass Business School.
The full membership of the Corporate Management Board can be viewed on the Ministry of Justice website (new window).
Revised Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines - 12 May 2008 (new window)
On 12 May the Sentencing Guidelines formally published the revised Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines which will come into force on 4 August 2008. We have published electronically only at this stage but hard copy will become available later this month/early June.
Draft Legislative Programme 2008-09 (new window)
On 14 May the Government published Preparing Britain for the Future—the Draft Legislative Programme 2008-09, which sets out the UK Government’s plans for legislative and key non-legislative action in next year’s Parliamentary session: www.CommonsLeader.gov.uk/draftprogramme (new window)
If you want to make Your Voice heard, you can comment on the programme: www.CommonsLeader.gov.uk/YourVoice (new window).
You can also see what is going on in your region: www.CommonsLeader.gov.uk/regionalactivity (new window).
For a copy of the MoJ press release on the programme: http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease140508a.htm (new window)
Consultation on structured sentencing - closing date 2 June (new window)
The Sentencing Commission Working Group is seeking views on how a structured sentencing framework could be adapted for England and Wales. The aim is to develop a set of proposals to improve the operation of the criminal justice system in relation to sentencing. Lord Justice Gage is chairing the working group. The consultation is published by the Judiciary of England and Wales (new window).
Best Value public meetings
To support the consultation exercise about the Best Value system, which will be introduced in probation, public meetings are being held on 6 June in London and 12 June in Leeds. The meetings will review the Best Value framework and discuss the 16 questions raised in the consultation. The outcome, together with the written responses received, will feed into a response document.
There are a limited number of places available at each event and these will be allocated to ensure a fair representation from the interested parties. If you wish to attend either event then please email or phone 020 7035 4930 with your name, contact details, organisation or interest that you represent and which event you would like to attend.
The press statement on the launch of the consultation and the consultation document and response form (new window) are on the MoJ website. For details on how to send your response please see page 37 of the consultation document. The consultation period closes on 2 July 2008.
Justice Awards 2008
This year the awards have been opened up to magistrates, who can now, for the first time, be nominated for an award as well as nominating their colleagues. Anyone working at the front line of criminal justice with victims, witnesses, defendants, offenders and the local community is eligible for the awards, both individuals and teams.
Nominations for the 2008 Justice Awards are open now and run until 4 August 2008. To nominate go to www.cjsonline.gov.uk/justiceawards (new window) for the online application form.
Equality Impact Assessment for the ViSOR system (new window) – published 13 May
The EIA covers ViSOR which is a secure system that has been developed to support Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). ViSOR is also used for the prevention and investigation of crime. It can be accessed by the Police, Probation and Prison services, enabling the sharing of risk assessment and risk management information on individual violent and sex offenders in a timely way.
Equality Impact Assessment for the Offender Management Model (new window) – published 13 May
This Equality Impact Assessment has been developed to assess what impact the Offender Management Model may have on equality. The impact assessment includes an action plan which NOMS commits to delivering in support of improving equality in our policies.
Information on accessing court, tribunal and prison service records (new window)
Access this link to the Ministry of Justice website for updated guidance for researchers on accessing court, tribunal and prison service records.
Forward Look
The Public Accounts Committee meet on 19 May to hear evidence on the Offender Learning and Skills service from the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, Learning & Skills Council, HM Prison Service for England & Wales and the Ministry of Justice.
If you have queries about any of the above please contact the CJG Communication Team.
