A report provided a summary of consultation responses on issues surrounding young adults (16-25 year olds) in the criminal justice system in Wales, and the potential role of the integrated offender management system. It said that there was 'overwhelming support' from practitioners for recognizing young adults as a distinct service user group. It said that much could be achieved without legislative change or large-scale investment in new services, and the integrated offender management system was seen as a means to implement a multi-agency, coherent approach to supporting young adults in the criminal justice system.
Source: Nathan Dick, Integrated Offender Management Cymru: All Wales youth to adult transition model, Clinks
Links: Report | T2A press release
Date: 2013-Dec
An article examined the nature and value of victim awareness work by probation services in England and Wales. It discussed the rationale, definition, and empirical basis of the concept, and the practical implications, before suggesting a possible model.
Source: Jacky Burrows, 'Victim awareness: re-examining a probation fundamental', Probation Journal, Volume 60 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Dec
An audit report said that the existing strategy for the prison estate in England and Wales had provided good quality accommodation, over a wide range of security categorizations, with improved value for money, but several well performing prisons had been closed before their replacements had established a good record of performance. The report said that quality and performance had sometimes been traded for greater savings, and the reduction of prisoner numbers still represented the best means to cut costs over the medium to long-term.
Source: Managing the Prison Estate, HC 735 (Session 2013–14), National Audit Office, TSO
Links: Report | Summary | NAO press release | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-Dec
The government began consultation on proposals to change the system of charges in the civil courts in England and Wales. The civil court system included all civil, family and probate jurisdictions, as well as the Court of Protection and the Court of Appeal (Civil Division). The consultation would close on 21 January 2014.
Source: Court Fees: Proposals for reform, Ministry of Justice
Links: Consultation document | Associated research | Public attitudes research summary | MOJ press release
Date: 2013-Dec
A report examined youth justice in England and Wales and outlined three principles for good practice: prevention; restoration; and integration. The report called for Police and Crime Commissioners, police forces, local government, and the youth justice system to work together to apply the principles in order to reduce antisocial behaviour and prevent offending.
Source: A Fresh Start to Tackling Youth Crime: A briefing for Police and Crime Commissioners, Independent Commission on Youth Crime and Antisocial Behaviour
Links: Report | Police Foundation press release
Date: 2013-Dec
An article examined the role of Police and Crime Panels in England and Wales and the effectiveness of their scrutiny of Police and Crime Commissioners. The article drew on desk-top research, a literature review, and documentary analysis of meeting minutes. It noted the limited powers of the panel, contradictions in the model of scrutiny, the extent of political alignment between the panel and the PCC, and the ability of PCCs to constrain the scrutiny function.
Source: Stuart Lister, 'Scrutinising the role of the Police and Crime Panel in the new era of police governance in England and Wales', Safer Communities, Volume 13 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Nov
A report examined policing in Britain. It noted that police forces had been subject to much recent reform, alongside new policing challenges and ongoing debates about the purpose, organization and governance of policing. It made recommendations for change, including: a formal acknowledgement of the social role of policing, and the value of neighbourhood approaches, with local prevention partnerships developed to involve local citizens; improvements to case handling procedures; clearer principles to guide the use of community disposals; discontinuation of the Police and Crime Commissioner model of local governance, with a greater role for local authorities in local police boards; consultation on the restructuring of police forces; development of clear principles for outsourcing and changes to procurement practices; and changes to the terms and conditions of employment for police officers and staff, including a code of ethics and changes to misconduct proceedings.
Source: Policing for a Better Britain: Report of the Independent Police Commission, Independent Police Commission
Links: Report | IPC press release | Police Federation press release | ACPO press release | BBC report | Guardian report | New Statesman report | Telegraph report
Date: 2013-Nov
A report for the equal rights watchdog examined the use of stop and search powers by police forces in England and Wales. It said that overall usage of the powers had reduced, but black and Asian people were still disproportionately targeted. The commission now proposed to work in partnership with those forces using S.1 and S.60 stops most disproportionately, to retrain officers on use of the power.
Source: Karen Hurrell, Race Disproportionality in Stops and Searches, 2011-12, Briefing paper 7, Equality and Human Rights Commission
Links: Report | EHRC press release
Date: 2013-Nov
A report summarized the key findings from research into hate crime in Wales. It said that hate crime was still a daily reality for many people, devastating individual lives and creating fear and distrust within communities. The prevention of hate crime was a long-term goal that would only be achieved if organizations worked together in partnership to meet this challenge.
Source: Matthew Williams and Jasmin Tregidga, All Wales Hate Crime Research Project, Race Equality First
Links: Report | Welsh Government press release | Cardiff University press release | BBC report
Date: 2013-Sep
A study sought to develop the concept of the 'social harm' caused by crime and anti-social behaviour in Wales, by establishing a robust definition and mapping its distribution and intensity. Social harm was defined as the negative impact of crime and disorder on communities' and neighbourhoods' security, well-being, and resilience. The study found that levels of harm varied markedly between different areas, and did not necessarily correspond to levels of crime.
Source: Martin Innes and Charlotte Leigh, Mapping and Measuring the Social Harms of Crime and Antisocial Behaviour: Toward an outcomes-based approach to community safety in Wales, Welsh Government
Links: Report
Date: 2013-Jan
