The Inspection Process

Prior to the start of every inspection, CJI will evaluate the inspection topic and determine whether it is an inspection it can carry out independently, or one which would benefit from additional expertise supplied by a partner Inspectorate, agency or independent expert. 

The decisions around the type of expertise and information required may depend on whether the inspection is of a single agency or a thematic inspection.  A thematic inspection, which covers more than one agency or organisation focussing on a related subject or theme, seeks to consider not only the way single agencies undertake work themselves, but how they work in partnership with other organisations in the criminal justice system. 

Once this decision is made, CJI encourages the organisation/s under inspection to carry out a self-assessment exercise as to how they are performing in the inspection area. This aims at highlighting areas of good practice and areas within the organisation/s that may benefit from improvement. 

Self-assessment is linked to the Inspection Framework used by CJI and Inspectors advise criminal justice organisations on the process if requested. More detailed self-assessment guidance is provided to organisations if required. However, if an organisation/s have their own self-assessment process in place that satisfy the the Inspection Framework, they are welcome to use this. 

Inspectors will carry out research on the organisation/s and the topic being inspected in preparation for fieldwork and evidence gathering.

During fieldwork, Inspectors will visit the organisation/s and speak with senior management and staff to hear their views and obtain evidence that enables them to make judgements about the subject area within the organisation/s.

Inspectors also contact and consult relevant stakeholders and service users to gather as much information and evidence as possible to inform the inspection.

As part of CJI’s quality assurance process, draft reports are initially prepared and shared internally with senior management and colleagues from the Inspection Team. The report is then shared with the inspected organisation/s for factual accuracy check.

Once the report has been finalised, the inspected organisation/s are invited to prepare an Action Plan in response to the report recommendations.  CJI will publish the organisation/s Action Plan along with its Inspection Report to show publicly how the organisation/s is actively working to address the Inspectorate’s recommendations.

The Chief Inspector will submit her final report to the Minister of Justice to seek Ministerial approval to publish the report.

In order to meet its legislative requirements, CJI’s reports are laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly. The inspection report then becomes a public document and is published on our website.

Based on the level of risk and where deemed appropriate, CJI will return to the inspected organisation/s or inspection topic and undertake an Inspection Follow-Up Review.

Inspectors will review the original Inspection Report and carry out research to assess the progress made towards implementing CJI’s recommendations and completing the agency’s Action Plan using CJI’s definitions and judgements. Organisations will be asked to provide a self-assessment against the Inspection Report recommendations.

A Follow-Up Review report is published on the findings and, depending on the outcome, the recommendations or Action Plan will either be signed off as completed or CJI may decide to return to the organisation/s after a period of time to review progress against incomplete actions.