Criminal Justice
Q. What is the Criminal Justice System?
The Criminal Justice System is comprised of the following organisations:
- The Police Service of Northern Ireland;
- The Northern Ireland Prison Service;
- The Public Prosecution Service;
- The Probation Board of Northern Ireland;
- The Northern Ireland Court Service;
- The Criminal Justice Directorate of the Northern Ireland Office; and stemming from that;
- The Youth Justice Agency and
- Forensic Science Northern Ireland
The Criminal Justice System is responsible for investigating crimes, finding the people who committed them, and bringing them to justice. It also works to help the victims of crime and to rehabilitate criminals after their punishment.
Q. What is the Criminal Justice Review?
The terms of reference for the Review of the Criminal Justice System were set out in the Belfast Agreement. The Agreement envisaged a wide-ranging review of criminal justice (other than policing and those elements of the system relating to the emergency legislation) with the aim of ensuring a system of criminal justice for Northern Ireland that:
- Delivers a fair and impartial system of justice to the community;
- Is responsive to the community’s concerns, and encourages community involvement where appropriate;
- Has the confidence of all parts of the community; and
- Delivers justice efficiently and effectively.
The Review, which made 294 recommendations, was published in March 2000. It was then subject to extensive consultation before the publication of the Government’s response, including an implementation plan in June 2003.
Q. Who was the Justice Oversight Commissioner?
The Justice Oversight Commissioner was The Rt Hon the Lord Clyde, who was appointed on 18th June 2003 for a period of 3 years. He was responsible for monitoring and reporting on the progress of the criminal justice agencies and others involved in the criminal justice system in the implementation of the 293 accepted recommendations. He reported six times, January 2004, July 2004, January 2005, July 2005, January 2006 and June 2006. His appointment ended with his sixth and final report.
Q. Who did he report to?
He submitted his reports to the Attorney General, The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Q. Who is the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice?
Kit Chivers was appointed Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in August 2003. The aim of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate (CJI) is to contribute to the Government's overall aim for peace and stability in Northern Ireland by helping to improve confidence in the criminal justice system. It will do that by assisting the criminal justice agencies to become more efficient and effective and by ensuring that in all their policies and operations they are even-handed between the communities.
Q. What is an ASBO?
An ASBO is an Anti-Social Behaviour Order which is aimed at protecting the public from behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress. The Government introduced legislation in relation to ASBOs in August 2004.
Q. What is the Government doing to tackle hate crime?
The Government has introduced legislation which gives judges greater powers in sentencing when dealing with crimes motivated by hatred.
Q. What is the Lock Out Crime Scheme?
The Lock Out Crime Scheme is an initiative that installs home security measures free of charge and is aimed at making older people feel safe in their homes.
Q. What is Operation Clean-up?
Operation Clean-Up is a multi-agency project which enables the police to target and remove vehicles from public roads which have been untaxed for three months or more.
