Prisons Archives | Criminal Justice Alliance

Justice Select Committee remand inquiry response

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:01:28 +0000

In this response to the Justice Select Committee’s inquiry into the role of adult custodial remand, we urge the government to reduce the rising level of remand through the urgent scaling-up of Bail Information Services in courts and prisons. We also recommend the government end the disproportionate use of remand for Black, Asian and minority ethnic women and divert resources set aside for prison expansion to community-based support services, such as Women’s Centres.

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Children’s Commissioner Family Review response

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 10:01:22 +0000

In this response to the Children’s Commissioner’s call for evidence for the Family Review, we specifically focus on how the Children’s Commissioner can improve the outcomes of children who are experiencing parental and family imprisonment. We call on the Children’s Commissioner to explicitly promote and protect the rights of these children, for a statutory process to be introduced to identify these children, and for family support services for those in prison and children and families in the community to have adequate and sustainable funding.

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Prisons Strategy White Paper consultation response

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 16:03:55 +0000

In this response to the Prisons Strategy White Paper, we call on the government to reduce the prison population and divert its investment for new prison building into improving the existing prison estate. We also set out measures to better support people in or leaving prison with employment, family ties and resettlement.

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Purpose and connection: A briefing in advance of the Prisons White Paper

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 14:09:50 +0000

The government recently announced it would publish a White Paper setting out prison reforms to cut reoffending. In this briefing, we set out what the government should include in the Prisons White Paper, mapping the practical steps necessary to ensure everyone in prison or leaving prison has access to meaningful education and employment, as well as support to maintain family ties and positive social relationships. We highlight how the government can reduce the prison population while ensuring safer communities. The briefing draws on the expertise of CJA members working in these areas.

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Second response from the Ministry of Justice on custody time limits

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:59:10 +0000

The CJA has been in communication with the justice secretary in recent months, raising our concerns about the decision to extend the amount of time someone can be kept in prison while awaiting trial. We have also been pushing for the greater use of Bail Information Services in courts and prisons, which can help people satisfy requirements for bail, preventing them from being remanded in prison. We have now received a further response from the justice secretary.

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How the PCSC Bill will entrench racial disparity

Thu, 20 May 2021 13:40:34 +0000

This briefing from a coalition of criminal justice and race equality organisations explores how the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill could deepen racial inequality in the criminal justice system. It analyses the equality impact assessments behind the Bill, and calls for the government to withdraw the discriminatory measures and launch a proper public consultation.

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Response from Ministry of Justice on policing and sentencing bill

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 12:26:31 +0000

We wrote to the Ministry of Justice in March, setting out our concerns that the government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will deepen racial inequality in the criminal justice system and asking for further details on how the government has assessed the disproportionate impact of the legislation. We have received a response from the justice secretary providing more detail.

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Education: Are prisoners being left behind?

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 11:40:43 +0000

In this response to an inquiry from the Education Select Committee, the CJA draws on discussions with members to set out how education within prisons could be improved, and how individuals in prison could be better prepared for work after their release.

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A smarter approach to sentencing?

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 11:51:43 +0000

In this response to the government’s White Paper on sentencing, the CJA and members highlight the positive elements of the government’s sentencing plans, as well as identifying areas of concern. The response also makes wide-ranging recommendations for government to create a criminal justice system which diverts people away from the dead end of prison and gives individuals the best chance at a life away from life

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Strengthening the Independent Scrutiny Bodies through Legislation

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 13:20:31 +0000

In this response to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation on Strengthening the Independent Scrutiny Bodies through Legislation, the CJA discusses how scrutiny bodies such as the Prison and Probation Ombudsman, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons and Independent Monitoring Boards could be strengthened. The CJA also considers the advantages and disadvantages of England and Wales adopting the ‘Scottish Model’, where scrutiny is merged under one body.

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