Government report reveals extent of disproportionality for black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals in the CJS

A report published by the Ministry of Justice this week examines the landscape of disproportionality for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) individuals in the criminal justice system (CJS).

Whilst policing and specific policies, such as stop and search, are well evidenced, there is less published evidence on disproportionality from the point of Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) involvement onwards in the CJS. The aim of the data analysis undertaken was to identify key pinch-points in the CJS from this point onwards, focusing on identifying where disproportionality becomes more pronounced and may therefore warrant further investigation.

The publication contributes to an independent review led by the Rt Hon David Lammy (MP) considering the treatment of, and outcomes for, BAME adults and young people within the CJS in England and Wales.

Read the report here.

£800,000 government funding available to support female offenders

The Ministry of Justice is providing £800,000 to encourage and support local areas to develop a joined-up, multi-agency approach to improve support for female offenders and other women with complex needs who may be at risk of offending.

The idea is to use existing resources differently to target support more effectively, avoiding gaps or duplication in service provision, and supporting women to access provision successfully so that they can turn their lives around.

£200,000 will be available in each of the financial years from 2016 to 2017 through to 2019 to 2020.

The invitation to bid was launched on Wednesday, with a submission deadline of 30 January 2017.

Find out more here.

Local police forces support country roads safety campaign

Police in Suffolk and Norfolk are urging drivers to anticipate potential hazards as they support a national THINK! campaign aimed at improving road safety on country roads.

The campaign, launched at the end of October, will run for five weeks and focuses on driver habits on country roads.

THINK! will be sharing messages and videos on social media to raise awareness about dangerous speeds and driver behaviours, including ‘Break before the bend, not on it’.

Nationally, 59% of all fatalities happen on country roads, about 10 times higher than those killed on motorways. This campaign is particularly relevant for our counties with the majority of the road network being rural.

Find out more here

New £20 million fund now open to help victims of domestic abuse

Government funding announced earlier in the year is now available for local authorities to bid for, assisting those leaving abusive relationships to find accommodation.
Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-20-million-fund-now-open-to-help-victims-of-domestic-abuse

Justice Secretary reveals government plans for major shake-up of prisons

The Justice Secretary yesterday announced the publication of the ‘Prison Safety and Reform White Paper’; setting out plans aimed at reducing reoffending and improving prison safety to combat drug abuse, gang violence and attacks on staff and prisoners.

Measures include:
• More than £100m annually to strengthen the frontline with 2,500 more prison officers;
• Rigorous new standards to get prisoners off drugs and into work;
• Prisoners to be tested for drug use on entry and exit from prison and on English and maths so progress made on the inside can be measured;
• Results to be published in new league tables to drive reform and improvements across the estate;
• New duty for Secretary of State intervention when prisons are failing;
• A £1.3bn modernisation programme to create 10,000 modern prison places with Wellingborough the first site to be named for potential redevelopment.

Find out more here

Last chance to have your say on local Police and Crime Commissioners priorities

Local Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC’s) in Norfolk and Suffolk are asking for views from members of the public, which will help shape their future plans and priorities.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s PCC is asking for feedback on the draft Suffolk Police and Crime Plan, which sets out objectives for the next five years. All views submitted will be considered and where necessary the plan will be modified before the final plan is issued in the new year.

The closing date is 7 November.

Find a copy of the plan and details of how to respond here.

Norfolk’s PCC Lorne Green is keen to hear local people’s views on the Norfolk Rural Policing Strategy 2016-2020, which aims to give greater recognition to the impact of crime in rural areas.

The closing date is 11 November.

Find a copy of the plan and details of how to respond here.