Our role in the National Preventive Mechanism
CJINI reports on a range of criminal justice organisations in Northern Ireland, including the police, courts, prisons, prosecution service, probation service, and youth justice agencies.
Our statutory role
Established under a statutory framework, Criminal Justice Inspection oversees all aspects of the criminal justice system, including the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service since 2007.
The Inspectorate advises Ministers on standards within criminal justice agencies, though standard-setting remains a Ministerial responsibility. It employs full- and part-time Inspectors and supplements expertise from other UK inspection bodies, such as His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.
Criminal Justice Inspection determines its own Inspection Programme in consultation with Ministers, covering periodic, cyclical, and unannounced inspections. It also conducts thematic inspections requiring specialist knowledge. Collaboration with other Inspectorates and professional bodies, including health, mental health, and forensic pathology experts, ensures comprehensive oversight of Northern Ireland’s criminal justice system.
Supporting Government goals
Through our Inspection Programme, CJI supports the Government’s four strategic aims for Northern Ireland’s criminal justice system:
Ensure an independent, fair, and effective justice system.
Work together to reduce the fear of crime.
Make the system open, inclusive, and accessible to promote public confidence.
Improve service delivery by enhancing effectiveness, efficiency, and co-operation.
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