CPS ESSEX BUSINESS PLAN 2003-2004

INTRODUCTION

CPS Essex has operated in full co-location with Essex police since 2001. The area operates from 4 criminal justice units located at Colchester, Southend, Laindon and Harlow and one Trials Unit located in Chelmsford. The CJUs deal with all magistrates court cases and the Trials Unit deals with all crown court cases. The Area Headquarters is also located in the Chelmsford office. The area receives a caseload of approximately 29,500 cases per year from the police forces of Essex, the Ministry of Defence, British Transport and the Port of Tilbury.

During 2002-03 the Area has piloted Lord Justice Auld’s recommendation for The CPS to assume responsibility from the police for determining the initial charge on a whole area basis. We have also introduced Direct Communication with victims to serious crime and have provided information where appropriate in the event that proceedings are discontinued or charges altered.

This year the rapid pace of change in the cjs in Essex continues as the area has been selected to pilot the case progression project, which has significant implications for CPS Essex.

This year we will focus upon:

• Converting our pre-charge advice pilot into a successful shadow scheme in preparation for the statutory scheme anticipated in 2004;
• Preparing for and implementing the COMPASS initial case management system throughout our prosecution processes;
• Introducing the persistent offenders scheme;
• Piloting the case progression project and the honoured appointments system;
• Preparing for and learning from the HMCPSI inspection of CPS Essex due in early summer 2003.

SECTION 2: OBJECTIVES, PRIORITIES AND DELIVERY OF PSA TARGETS

PSA TARGET 1: NARROWING THE JUSTICE GAP

“To improve the delivery of justice by increasing the number of crimes for which an offender is brought to justice to 1.2 million by 2005-06; with an improvement in all cjs areas, a greater increase in the worst performing areas and a reduction in the proportion of ineffective trials.”

The Essex cjs target as set out in the LCJB’s action plan on narrowing the Justice Gap is to increase by 5% (or 1096 offences) to a target number of 23008 by 31 March 2006.

SPECIFIC ACTIONS PLANNED FOR CPS ESSEX

REF	DETAILS	MILESTONES	TARGET DATE
1.1	Continue whole area charging pilot and move to shadow scheme in readiness for a legislative change	Implement at Basildon by 30.04.03 Southend by July 2003 and then Harlow tba.	Implementation of the second stage of the charging pilot throughout the area by 31.12.03
1.2	Successful implementation of the Compass ICMS scheme	Preparation of units, training, implementation plan	December 2003
1.3	Introduction of persistent offenders scheme		Starts April 2003
1.4	Piloting of case progression project		Pilot from April to December 2003
1.5	Implementation of the cracked trial initiative	Has now begun and will be implemented in the Case progression project	Anticipated to run with wider pilot until December 2003
1.6	Introduction of honoured appointments system pilot as part of the wider case progression pilot		From April 2003, full implementation to be decided by LCJB
1.7	Review information supplied to witnesses		31.03.04
1.8	Consider the current ways in which witnesses who need special support are identified and how this can be improved upon.	LCJB to clarify deadlines and CPS contribution to these projects	31.03.04
1.9	Complete the piloting of the visual interviewing of suspects and evaluate the pilot with cjs partners	Pilot ends march 2003	Evaluate pilot by 30.09.03
1.10	Introduction of the provisions of the proceeds of crime act into the prosecution process.		From April 2003, complete training by 30.06.03
1.11	Implementation of the cross- cjs Domestic Violence policy		Launched April 2003

The pace of change and implementation of pilot and new initiatives continues to increase in CPS Essex. The training of staff to successfully contribute to the new initiatives continues to be a key Area priority. An Area communications strategy and a training and development strategy for 2003/04 will be crucial components of this process.

SECTION 2: OBJECTIVES, PRIORITIES AND DELIVERY OF PSA TARGETS

PSA TARGET 2: CONFIDENCE

“To improve the level of confidence in the criminal justice system, including increasing that of ethnic minority communities and increasing year on year the satisfaction of victims and witnesses, whilst respecting the rights of defendants.”

SPECIFIC ACTIONS PLANNED FOR CPS ESSEX

REF	DETAILS	MILESTONES	TARGET DATE
2.1	Embed the successful implementation of the DCV initiative and implement recommendations of the post-implementation evaluation	Interim report received, full report awaited.	30.06.03
2.2	Convert the piloted casework assurance scheme into a full operational scheme	Review through quarterly performance reports	From April 2003
2.3	Set employment targets for all grades of staff to be achieved by 2005.	Set interim targets by 30.09.03	Achieve interim targets by 31.3.04
2.4	Improve community engagement with diverse community groups – specifically to improve dialogue with LGBT, refugee and disabled groups	Review progress quarterly through Diversity Awareness committee.	Improve assessment in equality and diversity proforma
2.5	Link community engagement with employment opportunities through attendance at local careers fairs and forging links with educational establishments.	Review progress through Diversity Awareness committee	On-going
2.6	Publish an informative and accessible annual report	Draft by 30.04.03	Publication by 30.06.03
2.7	Improve the response rate on complaints	Review quarterly	On going
2.8	Build on the success of recent local and national media publicity to raise the profile of the area		On going
2.9	Implement the Speaking up for justice special measures in the magistrates courts	Await details of statutory instrument	Not yet known
2.10	Continue to build cjs partnerships through the LCJB and re-formed action groups		On going
2.11	Identify and implement a specific initiative in support of the European year of the disabled	Plan by 30.06.03	31.12.03
2.12	Prepare for the HMCPSI inspection	Continue 6 monthly internal inspections in advance of HMCPSI report	April 2003
2.13	Evaluate and implement HMCPSI recommendations		In line with HMCPSI recommendations
2.14	Seek IiP re-accreditation		Implement June 2003
		recommendations of interim assessment by 31.5.03

SECTION 2: OBJECTIVES, PRIORITIES AND DELIVERY OF PSA TARGETS

PSA TARGET 3: VALUE FOR MONEY

“To increase the value for money from the criminal justice system by 3% per year.”

SPECIFIC ACTIONS PLANNED FOR CPS ESSEX

REF	DETAILS	MILESTONES	TARGET DATE
3.1	Identify and secure any realistic counsel fees and witness expense savings arising from the honoured appointment pilot	Reassess mid year	By pilot end date, anticipated as 31.12.03
3.2	Secure the savings anticipated from the implementation of the cracked trails initiative		31.03.04
3.3	Implement secure email pilot to reduce administrative costs of communication between cjs partners	CJIT will evaluate cost savings as part of post evaluation review	Parts of project start from April 2003 and it enlarges through the year
3.4	Examine and improve performance of CPS agents where necessary	Use advocacy-monitoring, introduction of standardised material from CPS and introduce training courses.	Initial evaluation and recommendations by 31.05.03
3.5	Make maximum use of applications for costs awarded to The CPS	Report on performance at quarterly reviews	On going
3.6	Identify and implement ways to reduce the expenditure on agents against the 2002/03 outturn	Review expenditure projections at 30.06.03 after Level C recruitment exercise completed	30.09.03 to have secured reduction
3.7	Identify and implement savings in GAE against the 2002/03 outturn		Review at mid year 30.09.03
3.8	Prepare for anticipated expansion of AP role	Report awaited	To be set out in report
3.9	Contribute to Crown Court “Exhibit” project by providing details of police witnesses	Interim project to be evaluated in July 2003	Await interim evaluation