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SHORT-TERM WORKING GROUP ON OUTSTANDING WARRANTS REPORT
Section 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE REVIEW
1. This is the report of the Working Group established by the Scottish Executive Justice Department and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) to inquire into the warrants processes and the escort arrangements that underpin the transportation of prisoners from legal custody to court and from one court to another.
2. The Group was formally announced by the Minister for Justice in the Scottish Parliament on 21 April as part of her statement on the Prisoner Escort and Court Services Contract with Reliance Secure Task Management Limited. At that time the Minister asked for a report from the Group within 12 weeks. Whilst the Group's work has a distinct focus on practical measures to improve communications between the various agencies involved in warrants and prisoner processes it is acknowledged that any longer term issues that were identified would be for others to consider. In this connection it is recognised that the Summary Justice Reform agenda, developing as a result of the McInnes Report will, in the longer term, be relevant, especially in relation to the enforcement of fines.
3. Given the time available the Group agreed the following terms of reference:
The Short Term Working Group on Outstanding Warrants will review systems for the communication of information about outstanding warrants and other custodial orders relating to all persons appearing in court and to make recommendations for improvement throughout the criminal justice system.
The membership of the Working Group was:
Mr Richard Gray, Assistant Chief Constable, Strathclyde Police (Chairman).
Mr Peter Withers, Director, Scottish Prison Service.
Mr Justin Farrell, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Mr John Tannahill, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Mr Eric Cumming, Scottish Court Service.
Mr Harry Bell, Director Scottish Criminal Record Office.
Mr Ian Todd, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
Mrs Morag Leck, District Courts Association.
Superintendent Bill Fitzpatrick, Strathclyde Police.
Mr Ian Fleming, Scottish Executive Justice Department.
The Group met on 5 occasions, the first on 10 May and the last on 19 August 2004.
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