2018

CJI is to undertake an additional inspection during 2018-19 that examines the pre-release testing arrangements applied by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS). These include accompanied and unaccompanied temporary release of prisoners.

The Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice has welcomed the significant progress made at Maghaberry Prison three years after it was heavily criticised in a previous inspection.

A report on how sexual violence and abuse cases are handled by the criminal justice system has highlighted issues around the timely progression of cases and outcomes for victims.

Chief Inspector Brendan McGuigan highlighted his concerns around delay and the conviction rate for cases of rape and other sexual offences as he published the Inspection report.
 
"There are many dedicated people within the police and prosecution services working to secure a criminal justice outcome for victims who come forward but delay is a significant problem,” said chief Inspector Brendan McGuigan.
 
"Delay in progressing cases from the outset mean victims are living with the trauma of what happened to them without resolution in most cases for years.
 
“Attrition rates are high and more must be done to understand why victims are choosing to withdraw their support for a criminal justice sanction.
 
“We have made nine recommendations to improve how sexual violence and abuse cases are handled, but further work is required around the principle of consent and what healthy relationships look like.
 

“This is not an issue the criminal justice system can solve on its own,” he concluded.

 

Earlier this year CJI announced that it was about to commence an inspection of ‘The Care and Treatment of Victims and Witnesses by the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland’.  During recent months stakeholder engagement has been ongoing with key individuals and groups that have responsibility for policy, practice and delivery. 

An inspection report on the Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC) has praised the standard of care and the child-centred ethos in place at the Bangor facility.  View report page

Brendan McGuigan has called on the NI Prison Service and Probation Board for NI to build on their current collaborative approach to resettlement in order to achieve the best outcomes for prisoners and the community. View report page.

CJI’s Chief Executive James Corrigan has today has unveiled its Business Plan for 2018-19. View business plan.

The plan outlines the work the Inspectorate intends to undertake during the incoming financial year.

“I am pleased to publish this comprehensive plan of work which takes into account issues raised by stakeholders as a result of our consultation process.  The business plan features our Inspection Programme for 18-19 which will include the completion of a programme of on-going Inspections and see work progressed on nine new inspections and seven follow-up reviews,” said Mr Corrigan.

The Business Plan, which also includes the organisational objectives and targets for the financial year, was approved by the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Justice in the absence of a Minister.

Inspectors are about to commence an inspection on the safety of prisoners held by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS). This follows a previous Inspection on the same subject undertaken by Inspectors in 2014 and published in October 2014.  A copy of this report is available on the CJI website and can be accessed here.
 
The core purpose of the NIPS is to improve public safety by reducing the risk of reoffending through the management and rehabilitation of offenders in custody, and delivery against this core purpose is supported by the strategic aims of NIPS, the first of which is ‘safe, secure and decent custody’. The safety of prisoners is therefore central to the work of the NIPS, and crucial for public confidence in the Prison Service.
                                                                
Inspectors will meet with a range of justice and stakeholder organisations who work in this area.  Any organisations or individuals who are interested in contributing to this important work should contact the inspection team by email to [email protected].
 

'Inspectors are about to commence an inspection of how the criminal justice system deals with Child Sexual Exploitation.  The terms of reference have been provided to the criminal justice agencies and are available here.  If you are interested in taking part in this important work please contact the inspection team by email to [email protected].’

Inspectors are about to commence an inspection of the care and treatment of victims and witnesses by the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland.  It will compliment and build upon work already undertaken in inspections recently published by CJI on ‘The Starmer Review’ (Oct 17) and ‘Hate Crime’ (Dec 17) and on ongoing inspections into ‘Domestic Abuse and Violence’ and ‘Sexual Abuse & Violence’. 

Victims and witnesses need to feel safe and supported in order to come forward and give evidence.  For many this is a huge first step and having done so, the criminal justice system has a responsibility to maintain that confidence and to provide continuing support and engagement.  Inspectors will meet with a range of justice and stakeholder organisations who work in this area.  Any organisations or individuals who are interested in contributing to this important work can contact the inspection team by email at [email protected].

If you would like information on services currently available to victims and witnesses of crime, please go to the Department of Justice website by clicking here.

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland has this week commenced an unannounced inspection of Maghaberry prison. The two-week inspection will run from 9 – 20 April and will involve teams of inspectors from CJI, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons in England and Wales (HMIP), the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI).  A full report of the outcomes of the inspection will be published in due course.

Inspectors are about to commence an inspection of how the criminal justice system deals with modern slavery and human trafficking in Northern Ireland. Modern slavery is a term that covers the offences of trafficking and slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour. Its victims are among the most vulnerable people in society and can be hesitant to seek help due to fear of their traffickers.  Inspectors will meet with a range of justice and stakeholder organisations who work in this area.  Any organisations or individuals who are interested in contributing to this important work should contact the inspection team by email to [email protected].

CJI Chief Inspector Brendan McGuigan will take part in a panel Q&A session at the Policing Board ‘From Crime to Court’ seminar today.

CJI’s Chief Inspector Brendan McGuigan has welcomed the work undertaken by the PPS over the last five years to improve its corporate governance and business performance.  View Report page

The eighth Annual Report of the United Kingdom’s National Preventive Mechanism for 2016-17  has been published.  View report.

Inspectors are about to commence an inspection of how the criminal justice system responds to Child Sexual Exploitation in Northern Ireland. Inspectors will meet with a range of justice and stakeholder organisations who work in this area.  We would also propose to include the views of children and young people who have been victims of CSE about their experiences of the criminal justice system.  Any organisations or individuals who are interested in contributing to this important work should contact the inspection team by email to [email protected].