David Cameron upsets prison reformers with sentencing crackdown – The Guardian

“David Cameron has announced plans to impose a surprise tough ‘two strikes and you’re out’ mandatory life sentence in a move that looks set to dash justice secretary Kenneth Clarke’s hopes of stabilising the record 85,000 prison population in England and Wales.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st June 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Kenneth Clarke may ditch ‘soft justice’ reforms – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 8th, 2011 in budgets, criminal justice, news, sentencing by tracey

“The Prime Minister has sent Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke back to the drawing board over sentencing reforms in a bid to reimpose the Tories’ law and order standing.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th June 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

New criminal justice stats underline need to tackle reoffending – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 27th, 2011 in criminal justice, news, recidivists, sentencing by sally

“New Criminal Justice Statistics – published for the first time today – show a dramatic increase in the number of criminals who persistently reoffend.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 26th May 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Just one criminal jailed for every 93 crimes – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 26th, 2011 in criminal justice, news, sentencing, statistics by sally

“Just one criminal is jailed for every 93 offences committed, figures showed.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 26th May 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Conservatives risking reputation on law and order, say ministers – The Guardian

Posted May 23rd, 2011 in budgets, criminal justice, industrial action, news, police by sally

“Senior Tories have raised concerns that the party is risking its reputation for being strong on law and order as the police unveiled plans for a summer campaign of protest against coalition cuts.”

Full story

The Guardian, 21st May 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Government publishes draft protocol for new police and crime commissioners and chief constables – Home Office

Posted May 13th, 2011 in criminal justice, police, press releases by tracey

“In the journey towards the introduction of the first Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in May 2012, the government today published a draft protocol setting out the relationship between PCCs and Chief Constables.”

Full press release

Home Office, 11th May 2011

Source: www.homeoffice.gov.uk

£5m scheme to divert mentally ill offenders from prison – The Guardian

Posted March 28th, 2011 in criminal justice, imprisonment, mental health, news by sally

“The first stage in setting up a national service to divert mentally ill people from prison is due to be announced by the health secretary, Andrew Lansley, and the justice secretary, Ken Clarke.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th March 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Crime victims’ advocate network to be established – BBC News

Posted March 21st, 2011 in criminal justice, news, victims, witnesses by sally

“Victims of crime – and witnesses to it – in England and Wales are to be given a ‘louder voice’ thanks to a £1m government initiative.”

Full story

BBC News, 21st March 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ken Clarke warned over ‘catastrophic’ community punishment cuts – The Guardian

Posted March 9th, 2011 in budgets, community service, criminal justice, news by sally

“Imminent budget cuts are set to create a funding ‘black hole’ in the criminal justice system with catastrophic consequences for innovative community sentences, experts have warned.”

Full story

The Guardian, 8th March 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Classifying offenders could lead to criminal justice revolution – The Guardian

Posted March 2nd, 2011 in budgets, criminal justice, news, statistics by sally

“Imagine being able to predict which offenders will go on to commit serious crimes. Juliet Rix on a new system that could have a drastic impact on the justice system.”

Full story

The Guardian, 2nd March 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

‘Serious concerns’ over UK Supreme Court change – BBC News

Posted March 1st, 2011 in criminal justice, news, Scotland, Supreme Court by sally

“The Scottish government is to outline its ‘serious concerns’ about plans which it says could threaten the historic independence of Scots law.”

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BBC News, 1st March 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

International Criminal Practice Seminar, 9th March – The Bar Council

Posted February 28th, 2011 in barristers, continuing professional development, criminal justice, news by sally

“This event is aimed at criminal practitioners, clerks and practice managers who are interested in learning about how to expand their criminal practices internationally. The seminar will be Chaired by Peter Lodder QC, Chairman of the Bar Council and will feature a panel of speakers who will talk briefly on areas of international criminal work, regional opportunities and practical strategies for involvement.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 25th February 2011

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Justice system delays endemic, research shows – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted February 24th, 2011 in criminal justice, criminal procedure, delay, legal profession, news, police, probation by sally

“Law Society research submitted to the government last week has identified a ‘lack of communication’ pervading the justice system that is causing delays throughout the process.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 24th February 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Justice ‘heading for meltdown’ – The Independent

Posted February 21st, 2011 in criminal justice, news, prison officers, prisons by sally

“The Government is playing Russian roulette with public safety and the criminal justice system is heading for meltdown, the Prison Officers’ Association warned.”

Full story

The Independent, 20th February 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Criminal justice reform at a time of austerity: what needs to be done? – The Guardian

Posted February 11th, 2011 in criminal justice, news, prisons, rehabilitation by sally

“A criminologist reflects on lessons to learn from the way in which governments, New Labour in particular, have approached crime.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th February 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Reduce youth crime through early intervention – Ministry of Justice

Posted February 9th, 2011 in criminal justice, news, young offenders, Youth Justice Board by sally

“Minister Crispin Blunt said spotting and acting on signs of criminality in a child’s early years is crucial to bringing down youth offending.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 8th February 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Joint Advocacy Group analysis of QAA consultation response – Bar Standards Board

Posted February 7th, 2011 in advocacy, consultations, criminal justice, news by sally

“Analysis of responses to the Joint Advocacy Group consultation paper on proposals for a quality assurance scheme for criminal advocates, is now available to view and download.”

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 4th February 2011

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Crispin Blunt outlines justice reforms – Ministry of Justice

Posted January 28th, 2011 in criminal justice, press releases, rehabilitation by sally

“Crispin Blunt said criminal justice reforms such as payment by results for offender management, are vital to breaking the destructive cycle of crime and better protecting the public.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 25th January. 2011

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

How the self-employed criminal bar intends to compete with solicitors – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted January 27th, 2011 in barristers, criminal justice, legal services, news, solicitors by sally

“There are probably about 5,000 self-employed barristers and 1,000 higher court advocates active in criminal defence work. While the number of firms has dwindled substantially in the last few years, the number of barristers has increased, notwithstanding the fact that the work has diminished, mainly through the Crown Prosecution Service taking 25% of it in-house.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 27th January 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Most child offenders should not face court, says report – BBC News

Posted January 5th, 2011 in children, criminal justice, Crown Court, news by sally

“The government is being urged to end Crown Court trials for children in England and Wales.”

Full story

BBC News, 5th January 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk