The prison population has fallen by almost 3,000 since the start of last year, reversing a trend dating back to the 1990s, it has been revealed.
Continue reading “Kenneth Clarke’s legacy: first fall in prisoner numbers since 1990s – The Daily Telegraph” »
Almost 200 youths were given a simple reprimand or warning for carrying knives this summer alone, with more than 400 being given community sentences.
Continue reading “Youths carrying knives less likely to be jailed than a year ago – The Telegraph” »
The government wants to give more prisoners on sentences of less than 12 months a mentor – who may themselves an ex-offender – to try to cut reoffending.
Continue reading “Prison mentors: ‘I’ve been in trouble almost all the time’ – BBC News” »
Every local authority is grappling with the challenge of increasing demand for services at a time of severe financial constraint. To meet this challenge we will need new partnerships and new relationships with our residents to help us solve local problems.
Continue reading “Helping people to help themselves – The Guardian” »
Home Secretary Theresa May is expected to use the conference today to unveil plans for victims to be given a say in punishments for anti-social behaviour.
Continue reading “Theresa May: We will stand up for the powerless against anti-social thugs – Evening Standard” »
A senior judge has described short prison sentences as “expensive and largely ineffectual” in deterring criminals from reoffending – amid claims that thousands go on to commit further crimes.
Continue reading “‘Soft sentences are expensive and ineffectual’ senior judge – Evening Standard” »
“Flash incarceration” of offenders who breach court orders, widespread naming online of those convicted, more witnesses giving evidence via videolink and Sunday court sittings are among measures outlined in government plans to speed up justice.
Continue reading “Government outlines plans for fast-track justice – The Guardian” »
Plans to overhaul the court system to hold evening and weekend hearings, first introduced at the height of last summer’s riots and now being deployed for the Olympics, have met strong opposition from lawyers being forced to work longer hours.
Continue reading “Lawyers decry government plans for ‘flexible courts’ to speed up justice – The Guardian” »
Heather Munro from London Probation, Mike Trace from RaPT, Peter Chapman from the Magistrates Association and Ken Clarke talk prison, community sentences and Payment by Results (PbR).
It is hoped that the idea will put them back into the heart of communities and cut the average time between an offence being committed and its disposal from the current level of 140 days.
Continue reading “Magistrates to sit in community centres in plan to speed up justice – The Telegraph” »
The Magistrates’ Association wants to use new technology such as Facebook and Twitter to publicise results of court cases as well.
Continue reading “Magistrates should use online crime maps ahead of sentencing – The Telegraph” »
