| Synopsis: |
With overall crime levels still significantly higher since the 1980s, the increasingly pervasive and corrosive effects of crime on British society demand a criminal justice system (CJS) that is fair, effective and swift. The system has not kept pace with the growth in crime and new types of crime, and public confidence is low. In essence, too few crimes are detected and prosecuted effectively; within two years of finishing a sentence, over half of offenders will be back in court after further offences. With over 300,000 people involved in the criminal justice system - from police, probation and prison officers to the judiciary and magistracy, support staff and forensic scientists - getting the best from system is of crucial importance if public confidence and support is to be strengthened and grown. This paper sets out the Government's plans, taking forward the policies set out in the 2000 spending review.In particular, the policies focus on: catching and convicting more offenders; providing more resources for the fight against drugs; ensuring that punishment fits the criminal as well as the crime; putting the needs of victims more at the centre of the CJS; supporting the police; combating international and organized crime; and securing better information and communications technology (ICT). The policies aim to address the serious problems of repeat offending, the link between drugs and crime, the growth in organized international crime, as well as ensuring that the system treats victims and witnesses in a better fashion. Central to the reforms is an injection of new resources, an extra #1.4 billion in 2001-02 rising to #2.7 billion in 2003-04. Exploitation of ICT potential, combined with demanding targets for performance from many sections of the system are other elements of the modernization of the CJS. |