Driving Change and Delivery in the Criminal Justice System (CJS)
Effective Trial Management
The Effective Trial Management Programme (ETMP) aims to reduce the number of ineffective trials by improving case preparation and progression from the point of charge through to trial or earlier disposal. The CPS has been working with DCA and other CJS agencies in the production of the Criminal Case Management Framework (CCMF). This was published in July 2004 with the endorsement of the Lord Chief Justice and senior CJS Ministers. CCMF articulates the roles and responsibilities of the agencies in bringing offenders to justice by helping to improve case preparation and progression from the charge to finalisation. The framework is currently being introduced in all 42 Areas as part of the overall strategy to reduce the number of ineffective trials in the Crown Court and in magistrates' courts.
Prolific and Priority Offenders
The CPS is contributing to delivery of the Prolific and Priority Offender Strategy, which was launched in September 2004. This is a long-term crime reduction strategy based on lessons learnt in the Persistent Offender Programme and from successful local schemes. The aim of the strategy is not only to catch and bring offenders to justice but to stop them re-offending in the future. There are three strands to the strategy: prevent and deter; catch and convict; rehabilitate and resettle. Local Crime and Disorder. Reduction Partnerships are responsible for identifying the local prolific and priority offenders causing the most harm to their communities. The CPS is working with the OCJR and other criminal justice agencies to develop a national premium service to tackle prolific and priority offenders like that applied in the Street Crime Initiative.
Case study
A 13-year-old persistent young offender, Kenny Blair, had several convictions for dishonesty and breach of ASBO conditions. On 6th June 2004 he was arrested and charged with a series of offences. The most serious of these was the rape of a vulnerable adult victim who suffered from learning difficulties at two separate locations on the same day. Kent prosecutor, Ken Goss, was involved throughout the case, providing charging advice and applying for special measures to enable the victim to give evidence without causing undue distress. Prior to the trial regular meetings were held between the investigators, the reviewing lawyer and counsel to ensure the best evidence was available. On 27th January 2005 Blair was convicted of rape at Maidstone Crown Court and in February 2005 at the Royal Court of Justice he was sentenced to a 5-year custodial sentence.
Street Crime
The CPS has worked together with the police, courts and others to target street crime in ten 'hot spot' street crime Areas - Thames Valley, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Avon and Somerset, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, London and Merseyside. This partnership has reduced the average weekly rate of robberies by 39% compared with April 2002 and resulted in a significant and sustained reduction in the number of ineffective street crime trials. The Street Crime Initiative formally concluded in April 2005, but the Initiative has given us the opportunity to view in detail the whole of the criminal justice process through the crime of robbery. The lessons that we are learning through the Initiative are now being applied to other areas, such as prolific and priority offenders and through the Effective Trial Management Programme, so that performance across the CJS is improved.
Case study
Due to ill health Richard Davies, 73, could only travel short distances. On 13th August 2004 he cycled to the shops with the intention of using a special taxi service to take him home. A taxi was not available so he asked the occupants of a white van, Michael Edwardson and Lucinda Shaw, if they would take him home. Shortly after returning home Mr Davies saw Ms Shaw who said that Mr Edwardson could not find his wallet. At her insistence Mr Davies walked with her around the outside of the house to look for the wallet. Whilst outside Shaw grabbed his bag and left Mr Davies with a broken hip on the floor. Ms Shaw later returned and started to call for help. When the police arrived Mr Davies identified Ms Shaw as the assailant and she was arrested. Mr Davies was confined to hospital due to his injuries. Prosecutor Michael Stephenson visited Mr Davies to keep him up-to-date on progress and answer any questions. Due to his injuries and the distance from the nursing home to the court, CPS Merseyside arranged for Mr Davies to provide his evidence through a video link to his bedroom with a policeman as the accompanying individual. On 10th March 2005 Lucinda Shaw was found guilty of robbery at Liverpool Crown Court and sentenced to four years imprisonment.
Drug Intervention Programme
The Drug Intervention Programme involves CPS, criminal justice agencies and the National Treatment Agency working together with other service providers to offer a solution for offenders committing crime to fund their drug habit. At a local level, Drug Action Teams use a case management approach to offer access to treatment and support. Beginning with an offender being tested for class 'A' drugs while in custody, the CPS uses a positive test result in court at bail and sentence hearings to encourage the offender to enter a treatment programme. Since 2003 the programme has rolled out to 64 police Basic Command Units that have high levels of acquisitive crime in England and Wales. A further 32 sites will be added from April 2005.
Prosecution Team Performance Management
The CPS is working closely with ACPO to introduce a joint performance management system that will enable the Police and CPS to monitor and improve cases that are brought for prosecution. Building on the existing CPS Case Management IT System, the Prosecution Team Performance Management (PTPM) arrangements will provide detailed data at Divisional Police level to monitor performance of cases handled both at the pre-charge and post-charge stage. PTPM is currently being piloted in four Forces/Areas, and subject to successful evaluation will be rolled out nationally from May 2005.
