CPS celebrate innovation in equality and diversity
19/02/2004
Innovative ideas to promote equality and diversity within The Crown Prosecution Service have been celebrated at an awards ceremony held in Liverpool today.
The second CPS Equality and Diversity Recognition Awards, hosted by television presenter, So Rahman, celebrated the achievements of teams, groups and CPS Areas who have demonstrated outstanding performance in promoting equality and diversity within The CPS and who have helped raise public confidence in the criminal justice system.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald QC said: “I am delighted to be invited to open this, the second awards ceremony that celebrates our achievements and demonstrates that we are an organisation committed to providing equality and diversity in the work place and to the communities we serve.
“When I joined The CPS, I was told by my predecessor that I would be impressed by the commitment, enthusiasm and high calibre of our staff. In my first four months as DPP, I have not been disappointed. I am proud to be the head of an organisation which recognises those achievements. Together we can make a difference, and it has been good to see the work that has already been done to improve the quality of people’s lives; amongst victims and witnesses as well as our own staff.”
A panel of four judges considered 41 nominations from all areas of The CPS and chose winners, runners-up and commendations from all categories.
The awards were judged in seven categories:
- Narrowing the justice gap
- Raising public confidence amongst diverse communities
- Human Resource initiatives
- Devising or implementing policies, practices, procedures or systems
- Conduct of cases
- Initiatives for supporting disabled staff and people
- Leadership
The criteria for selection was based on a number of areas including:
- Raising community awareness of the work and role of The CPS
- Increasing public confidence in The CPS by being for example, open and transparent.
- Raising CPS staff awareness of the cultures, values and perceptions of diverse communities
- Enabling The CPS to make better informed decisions by taking into account the views of diverse communities
- Increasing CPS answerability and accountability to local communities
- Improved and innovative work in the treatment of victims and witnesses; whilst respecting the rights of the defendant
Solicitor General, Harriet Harman QC said “I warmly congratulate all those who have received awards, and strongly support The CPS’ continued efforts to make progress on diversity.”
Notes to Editors
- The Winners:
Category: Narrowing the justice gap
Nominations 1 and 2 - Speaking Up for Justice Implementation Team, Policy Directorate HQ York
Why: For their commitment to successfully implementing Speaking Up for Justice and for providing a fairer heading for vulnerable people. The team arranged a successful conference in collaboration with The Ann Craft Trust and VoiceUK, which focused on victims and witnesses with learning disabilities. A two-day training scheme was also established to teach CPS staff about the specific needs to vulnerable people.
Category: Raising public confidence amongst diverse communities
Nomination 27 – The LGBT Staff Network
Why: For the proactive approach the Network has taken in the promotion of The CPS Public Policy Statement on Homophobic Crime on a national basis. For their attendance at numerous LGBT events across the country – giving The CPS a very visible stance and for producing a training package and running the intranet based discussion forum on Homophobic Crimes and the new Policy.
Category: Human Resources
Nomination 21 - CPS Thames Valley
Why: For their Family Friendly Policy which has been innovative and ground-breaking.
Category: Devising or implementing policies, practices, procedures or systems
Nomination 34 - CPS South Wales
Why: This was one of the most ingenious ideas that we came across out of all the awards and is why it is undoubtedly one of the winners. To try and encourage youngsters in South Wales to combat racism and also learn more about the Criminal Justice process – a group of 14 students followed a fictional case from the moment the defendant was arrested, through all involvement with the Police, The CPS, the Courts and finally they followed him into the reception area of prison. Along the way the students were able to quiz the various people involved as to why decisions had been made and what the consequences were. The day was filmed – and the video is to be distributed to schools around Wales to encourage more learning. This was found to be very innovative and something that although a one off – will benefit many more people via the video.
Category: Conduct of cases
Nomination 32 - Liverpool Action Group Against Racial Attacks and Harassment, Live Cases Sub Group
Why: This nomination won in part because of the shared working between The CPS and other groups and also because of the results shown from the group. The sub group has enabled a more joined up working between the various agencies and this has had a very positive effect on the results of many cases as they proceed through the court system. It has also resulted in the first anti-social behaviour order being made following a criminal conviction in Liverpool Magistrates Court. Further joined up working should be encouraged in more areas as the results speak for themselves.
Category: Initiatives to support disabled staff and people
Nomination 13 - HQ Communications Branch
Why: This entry won because the Team were made aware of a potential problem and worked their way through to a solution which solved the problem and was cost effective. Instead of stopping at the first hurdle – the team conducted research and as a result of this – the production of CPS Inform as weekly Audio publication cost a one off fee of a couple of hundred pounds instead of a yearly cost of £15,000.
Category: Leadership
Nominations 25 and 26 - CPS Gwent
Why: For their pro-activeness in writing to members of the Muslim community prior to the Iraq war reassuring them that racially aggravated incidents would be prosecuted. As a result of this, the community has more faith in The CPS and closer ties have been made.
The award is also given for the initiative to empower children in the methods of The CPS and the Criminal Justice System as a whole. CPS Gwent has established a Schools Advocacy Competition – which has been 14 schools take part this year in mock trials. - A full list of the nominations; winners; runners-up, and commendations will be available as a handout at the awards ceremony. Copies can also be obtained form The CPS Press Office.
- The awards ceremony was held at Liverpool Town Hall, Dale Street, Liverpool L69 2DH.
- Media enquiries to CPS Press Office on 020 7710 8103.
