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The Role of The Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service is the government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.

As the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales, we are responsible for:

  • advising the police on cases for possible prosecution
  • reviewing cases submitted by the police
  • determining any charges in more serious or complex cases
  • preparing cases for court
  • presenting cases at court

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Home » News Centre » Press Releases » Technology supports bringing more criminals to justice. Benefits of CPS IT programme recognised

Technology supports bringing more criminals to justice. Benefits of CPS IT programme recognised

12/10/2005

The COMPASS Programme at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been awarded "GREEN" status - the highest rating - in its latest review by the Office for Government Commerce (OGC) which operates a stringent multi-stage assessment process for technology investments in the public sector.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald QC, said: "I am delighted that the hard work of the COMPASS team has once again been recognised by the Office for Government Commerce. A modern and flexible case management system is absolutely essential if the CPS is to become a world-class prosecuting authority, and the COMPASS CMS has already contributed greatly to increased efficiency and effectiveness across the Service."

The COMPASS Programme, developed in partnership with LogicaCMG, uses technology to support CPS staff in bringing more offenders to justice. The programme provides a national IT network, desktop computer hardware and case management software tools to around 8,000 CPS staff in 42 CPS Areas throughout England and Wales. At the core of this programme lies the COMPASS Case Management System (CMS), developed and implemented in 2003 by LogicaCMG.

Focussing specifically on benefits which the programme delivers, the Gateway 5 Review placed the COMPASS Programme under a great deal of close scrutiny, requiring demonstration and evidence of the practical impacts that technology is having on the day-to-day business of the CPS, which is responsible for the prosecution of around 1.25 million criminal cases every year in England and Wales.

The GREEN status of the Gateway 5 Review recognises the resilience of the COMPASS Programme structure, the flexible approach to systems development by the programme, and the significance of the CMS as the first national electronic case management system within the criminal justice system.

Claire Hamon, Director of Business Information Systems for the CPS, said: "The GREEN rating is a significant achievement. The reviewers commented that they were struck by the high level of commitment observed throughout the CPS, recognising the consistent and dedicated effort of Programme staff ever since the COMPASS Programme began in 2001."

The COMPASS Programme is a partnership between the CPS and LogicaCMG, and is a shining example of excellence in Government IT and modernising justice. LogicaCMG and the CPS have achieved a significant business change transformation, resulting in creating a criminal justice IT system for the 21st century.

Neil Copling, Senior Client Director of LogicaCMG responsible for COMPASS said: "The successful Gateway 5 review by OGC has been a tremendous endorsement for COMPASS. It is a clear recognition that we have the right strategy and skills, excellent business engagement and a team committed to helping CPS realise benefits from the investment. A key motivating factor is the knowledge that what we do really matters to people working across criminal justice and to the wider public."

Peter Lewis, the CPS Director of Business Development, said: "The COMPASS Programme represents radical reform for the CPS. The substantial achievement of the GREEN rating in this Gateway 5 Review establishes COMPASS as a leading example of modernisation in the criminal justice system. Together with our partner agencies, and equipped with the firm foundation which COMPASS has provided, we at the CPS look forward to the future work on joining up technology across the criminal justice system."

  1. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales and is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
  2. The CPS has 42 Areas across England and Wales, each matching local police force areas, with 140 CPS office sites, and a further 300+ remote sites such as police station charging centres and CPS rooms at magistrates' and Crown Court centres to which the COMPASS Programme provides technology and support.
  3. The COMPASS Programme provides over 8000 CPS staff with the technological tools to do their jobs in bringing criminal offenders to justice.
  4. A 10-year Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract for the COMPASS Programme was signed between the CPS and LogicaCMG in December 2001.
  5. For further information, contact the CPS Press Office on 020 7796 8127 or Jennifer Peters, LogicaCMG, Tel (020) 7446 4813 or at jennifer.peters@logicacmg.com.