News and experiences from UK justice, including courts, YOTs, Probation offices, practitioner recruitment and training.
Category: Criminal Justice
Restorative justice is not a simple fad – it really works
2 Aug 2010, 10:37 am | Written by Backstop
The former Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police writes in to the Guardian’s letters section arguing that conservative MP Douglas Carswell is wrong when he says: “Restorative justice is certainly a fad that excited those that work for the criminal … Continue reading
Jon Venables’ identity must be secret judge rules
2 Aug 2010, 10:20 am | Written by Backstop
BBC News reports that the new identity of Jon Venables must be kept secret because there is “compelling evidence” of a threat to his safety, a judge has said. Venables, one of the killers of Merseyside toddler James Bulger, admitted … Continue reading
‘Big rise’ in spending on prison and probation system
16 Jul 2010, 9:52 am | Written by Backstop
BBC News reports that spending on the prison and probation system in England and Wales has risen by 36% since 2004, but front-line staff remain overstretched, a study has said. It calculates that the National Offender Management Service (Noms) – … Continue reading
Gang culture makes maximum security jails less stable, warns Anne Owers
14 Jul 2010, 9:53 am | Written by Backstop
The Guardian reports that the chief inspector of prisons has warned that maximum security prisons in England and Wales are less stable, more difficult to run and potentially less safe than nine years ago. Dame Anne Owers says maximum security … Continue reading
Cameron backs penal system reforms
13 Jul 2010, 1:23 pm | Written by Backstop
The Mirror reports that David Cameron has admitted that Britain’s criminal justice system is ‘not working and is in need of urgent reform’. The Prime Minister was speaking as it was disclosed that Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke is “sympathetic” to … Continue reading
Probation watchdog: serious crimes may be price to pay for cutting cost of justice
12 Jul 2010, 9:44 am | Written by Backstop
The Telegraph runs the story today that Andrew Bridges, Chief Inspector of Probation, has alluded to the fact that ‘some reoffending — even if it involved “serious” new crimes — could be the price that society had to pay for … Continue reading
Comment: Empty our prisons but pay for the consequences
5 Jul 2010, 9:59 am | Written by Backstop
Nick Cohen writes in Sunday’s Observerto say that Ken Clarke’s desires for reform hinge on providing an alternative to incarceration. He also states that unless ministers can break with the past and provide strong and credible options to jail, reform … Continue reading
BREAKING: Ken Clarke’s speech – the transcript
30 Jun 2010, 3:30 pm | Written by Backstop
Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, has just given a speech on criminal justice reform at the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies. Click below to read the full transcript… View…
Youth Justice sector still awaits policy anouncements
29 Jun 2010, 9:51 am | Written by Backstop
According to an article in Children and Young People Now a Howard League spokesman suggests this quiet period might be positive. Meanwhile professionals seek some direction and the Ministry of Justice confirms YJB future is unclear. View article
Road rage killer Kenneth Noye has failed in his bid to have the minimum term he must serve for murder reduced.
25 Jun 2010, 9:50 am | Written by Backstop
BBC online reports today that a High Court judge sitting at Newcastle Crown Court ordered he must spend at least 16 years in jail before he can be considered for parole. An interesting example under the new system where judges … Continue reading
