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CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OBJECTIVES REVIEW
PROPOSALS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS IN THE SCOTTISH CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS IN THE SCOTTISH CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND VALUES
Recommended - a framework of overarching Aim and Objectives should be set for the Criminal Justice System in Scotland.
(Paragraph 9.8)
AIMS:
For consideration - a statement of Aim in the following terms:
- To improve the safety and the feeling of safety of the people of Scotland and to deliver justice fairly and efficiently
(Paragraph 9.12)
OBJECTIVES:
For consideration - a set of Objectives in the following terms:
- To reduce the level of crime, disorder and offending
- To improve people's feeling of safety and the confidence of the whole community in the criminal justice system
- To improve the treatment of victims and witnesses
- To protect the rights of accused
- To improve efficiency and deal with cases with appropriate speed
(Paragraph 9.15)
VALUES:
For consideration - a statement of Values or operating principles for the CJS in Scotland in the following terms:
- Integrity
- Fairness and Impartiality
- Equality of treatment and respect for diversity
and, possibly
(Paragraphs 9.26 & 9.27)
A key operating principle within the system of:
(Paragraph 9.28)
Recommended - consultation with relevant organisations on Aims, Objectives and Values.
(Paragraph 9.30)
Recommended - effective organisational staff consultation, communication and training.
(Paragraph 9.31)
TARGETS
OBJECTIVE 1 - Reducing the level of crime, disorder and offending
- For consideration - wider CJS target for reducing persistent offending
(Paragraph 10.3)
OBJECTIVE 2 - Improving people's feeling of safety and the confidence of the whole community in the system
- Recommended (in support of Building a Better Scotland objectives) - target for increased public confidence in the whole CJS, including target for increased ethnic minority groups' confidence
(Paragraph 10.5)
- For consideration - target for increasing the number and proportion of recorded crimes for which action is taken against the offender
(Paragraph 10.6)
- For consideration - further attention by ACPOS and COPFS to the levels of reported cases in which no proceedings are taken because of insufficient evidence or triviality, including -
- ensuring that there is adequate measurement and monitoring and that appropriate arrangements are agreed to ensure clarity and consistency of practice
- considering agreeing suitable joint targets or indicators
(Paragraph 10.10)
OBJECTIVE 3 - Improving the treatment of victims and witnesses
- For consideration - addressing witness waiting time at court by accurate and comprehensive monitoring and consideration of appropriate standards and targets
(Paragraph 10.11)
OBJECTIVE 4 - Protecting the rights of the accused
- For consideration - monitoring successful ECHR devolution issue or HR Act challenges
(Paragraph 10.12)
OBJECTIVE 5 - Improving efficiency and dealing with cases with appropriate speed
- Recommended - overall time target for the duration or 'lifespan' of detected criminal cases, whether summary, solemn or dealt with by alternative to prosecution
(Paragraphs 10.16 & 10.23)
- Recommended - supporting process standards and targets, in agreed bilateral protocols where appropriate
(Paragraphs 10.21 & 10.23)
- Recommended - speedy joint resolution of any issues or uncertainties about responsibility for particular essential process tasks
(Paragraph 10.22)
- For consideration - target for higher output than input of cases
(Paragraph 10.24)
- For consideration - monitoring of rates of adjournments and of time of disposal of guilty plea cases and possible targets for reduced levels and earlier disposal
(Paragraph 10.28)
CO-ORDINATION and LIAISON
Recommended - there should be an effective framework of cross-system mechanisms and 'machinery' to support better joined-up working.
(Paragraph 11.1)
For consideration - arrangements for enhanced joint Ministerial oversight of the CJS in Scotland.
(Paragraph 11.19)
Recommended - there should be a top-level national Board of senior officials and officers to oversee the operation and performance of the CJS against the overarching aim, objectives and targets, to keep those under review, to ensure co-ordinated and consistent planning across the system and to be responsible for a national CJS plan.
(Paragraphs 11.20 & 11.22)
For consideration - it is highly desirable that there should be a senior judge on the national Board.
(Paragraph 11.23)
For consideration - it would be useful for a small, dedicated joint CJS unit to be set up to support the national Board.
(Paragraph 11.24)
For consideration - there may be value in the national Board setting up sub-groups to deal with specific areas of importance.
(Paragraph 11.25)
Recommended - there should be a cross-system consultative and advisory body, such as the Criminal Justice Forum.
(Paragraph 11.26)
Recommended - there should be an effective, coherent, consistent framework of co-ordination and liaison at local level, in the form of local CJS boards.
(Paragraphs 11.27, 11.29 & 11.38)
For consideration - the local level unit for CJS co-ordination boards should be either the existing Sheriffdoms or new Areas reflecting Police Force and Procurator Fiscal Service Areas.
(Paragraphs 11.29 & 11.38)
Recommended - the local CJS boards should be chaired by the appropriate Sheriff Principal.
(Paragraph 11.36)
For consideration - it may be useful to support the Sheriffs Principal and local boards with secretariats.
(Paragraph 11.36)
Recommended - the most senior officers in the relevant service-delivery agencies should participate in the local CJS boards, which would work within the framework of the overarching aim, objectives and targets of the CJS, overseeing, co-ordinating and monitoring performance locally.
(Paragraph 11.37)
For consideration - there may be value in establishing local consultative and advisory groups to support the local CJS board.
(Paragraph 11.40)
Recommended - there should be cross-system joint thematic inspection.
(Paragraph 11.50)
For consideration - there may be value in setting up some machinery to assist joint, thematic inspection, such as a small secretariat.
(Paragraph 11.50)
Recommended - there should be more joint training across the CJS agencies.
(Paragraph 11.51)
Recommended - adequate, accurate and timely management information about the operation of the CJS will require to be available to the national and local CJS boards, using agreed common definitions, recording practices and data standards.
(Paragraph 11.56)
Recommended - the current SEJD Statistics Unit scoping study in connection with ISCJIS will require to take account of this Review report.
(Paragraph 11.57)
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