2011

In December 2010 CJI published its thematic inspection of the handling of domestic violence and abuse cases by the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. 

 

 

A report on the care and treatment of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice centre was published today stating that further change is necessary to address the needs of victims and witnesses.

Dr Michael Maguire was one of a number of speakers who addressed the 10th Anniversary Conference entitled 'Challenge and Change - A new conversation for Policing in Northern Ireland' which was held in the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. 

Dr Michael Maguire was one of a number of speakers who addressed the 10th Anniversary Conference entitled 'Challenge and Change - A new conversation for Policing in Northern Ireland' which was held in the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. 

A report on Enforcement in Department of Environment (DOE) has recognised the good progress in increasing the profile and importance of enforcement with the DOE and its agencies. 

Two follow-up inspection reports on Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Ash House, Hydebank Wood Prison published today by CJI have commended staff for their great efforts to improve the facilities over last 3 years but reiterated the recommendations made by the Inspectorate in its original 2007 inspection report, which stated that further progress cannot be achieved within the present regimes operating in both facilities, which both require a complete overhaul.

Dr Michael Maguire briefed the Justice Committee on its inspection into the independence of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI) from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

An action plan prepared in response to CJI's thematic inspection of the ways in which legal services are provided by the criminal justice system has been submitted to the Inspectorate today.  The action plan which has been approved by the Minister of Justice, David Ford MLA outlines the work which will be undertaken by the Department of Justice, the Public Prosecution Service, the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service and other criminal justice organisations in response to CJI's inspection recommendations.

 

CJI inspectors will examine progress against the inspection recommendations and commitments outlined in the action plan when the organisation carries out its follow-up review to assess progress between 18 months to two years after the publication of the inspection report.

Dr Michael Maguire briefed the Justice Committee on the use of Legal Services by the Criminal Justice System. Dr Maguire called for action to improve how legal services are currently provided. View Report Summary Ebook, View PDF

The Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) has provided CJI with an action plan in response to recommendations made in its inspection of pre-sentence reports.

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland is currently consulting on its revised Equality Scheme together with its Equality Action Plan. The consultation period will commence on 5 August until 31th October 2011.  View PDF.

Despite the majority of work undertaken by CRJI not meeting the threshold for inclusion under the Government’s Protocol for community-based restorative justice, Inspectors welcomed positive developments within the organisation and the value placed on their partnerships with other bodies. View press release. View Report.

CJI’s latest report looking into youth diversion in Northern Ireland highlights the importance, where possible, of dealing with young people appropriately through diversionary measures. View press release. View Report. View e-book summary.

Dr Michael Maguire briefed the Justice Committee on the work of the Criminal Justice Inspectorate, their inspection programme and reports due.

Criminal Justice Inspection has issued its Business Plan for the current financial year.  The Business Plan lists CJI's organisational goals for 2011-12 and the programme of inspections and inspection reviews/action plan reviews the Inspectorate intends to undertake. View e-book. View press release.

The standard of pre-sentence reports prepared for the criminal justice system by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland has been praised by CJI Inspectors.  Deputy Chief Inspector Brendan McGuigan said the inspection recognised the major impact that pre-sentence reports could have for offenders both pre and post sentence as well for the public at large. View press release. View PDF report. View e-book summary.

An independent inspection of public protection arrangements in Northern Ireland has highlighted progress made in the four years since CJI's last inspection was carried out. View press release. View report. View e-book summary.

Dr Michael Maguire has given a presentation to members of the Criminal Bar Association at its annual conference at Queen's University, Belfast on Saturday 4 June.  Dr Maguire's remarks focused on the findings of CJI's Not a Marginal Issue inspection which examined how the criminal justice system engaged with those with mental health issues.  View presentation. View report.

Northern Ireland's Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice  Dr Michael Maguire has emphasised the importance of good communication in securing the attendance of victims, witnesses and defendants at court in a new inspection report published today. View Press Release.  View Report. View e-book summary.

A new report by CJI has urged the Police Service of Northern Ireland to deliver against its stated intent of delivering personal, professional and protective policing to local communities.  View press release.  View report.  View e-book summary.

Dr Michael Maguire has published the terms of reference for an inspection of the operational independence of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.  Work on the inspection will commence immediately and It is CJI's intention to seek to publish the inspection when it is completed. View press release.

Dr Michael Maguire, CJI's Chief Inspector is to lead a review of the operational independence of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland (OPONI)from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).  The review is being carried out at the request of the Police Ombudsman, Al Hutchinson.  Work will start immediately to draft Terms of Reference for CJI's work, which will be made public when they become available.  Dr Maguire has indicated the report will "provide an impartial, evidence-based analysis of the relationship between the Police Ombudsman's Office and the Police Service of Northern Ireland."  He is to seek to publish the findings of the report by the end of June.  CJI has previously carried out inspections in relation to the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in 2005 and again in 2007.  Both inspections can be found on this website by following the links shown.

CJI has today published a summary of its inspection report findings for 2010. This document gives an overview of the breadth of work undertaken during the year by the Inspectorate together with the key findings. 
 

The inspection work is a mix of organisation specific studies, follow-up work on previous inspections and thematic inspections that involve more than one organisation. 

To view the document please click here.

Dr Michael Maguire was one of three distinguished speakers to address members of the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) at this year's annual general meeting held in the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick.  Joining him at the event were the Justice Minister David Ford MLA, Colin McConnell, Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service and Dessie Bannon from the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.  During his remarks Dr Maguire highlighted the objectives of CJI, the impact what happens within a prison can have outside a prison and  he looked to the future in terms of the role of the IMBs in delivering change.   To view a copy of Dr Maguire's speaking notes, please click here.

CJI has today launched a recruitment campaign to identify a talented, professional individual to join its multi-disciplinary inspection team.  The campaign will be open for three weeks and will provide the successful candidate with an opportunity to join a vibrant, forward-thinking organisation and play a key role in delivery of a challenging inspection programme involving each of the major justice organisations during 2011-12.  For further information or to apply for this challenging post, please visit the vacancies section of this website.  The closing date for completed application forms is 5pm on Friday 15 April 2011.

Dr Michael Maguire has represented Criminal Justice Inspection at an awards ceremony hosted by the Butler Trust at Buckingham Palace.  The Butler Trust is an independent charity established in 1985 in memory of ‘RAB’ Butler (Lord Butler of Saffron Walden), a reforming Home Secretary, to promote and encourage prison reform and positive regimes in UK prisons.

 

Its annual Award Scheme and Development Programme, helps the Trust to develop effective care for offenders by identifying and promoting excellence and innovation by Prison and Probation Service and criminal justice social work staff, contractors and volunteers.  It also helps in developing and disseminating best practice in the care and resettlement of offenders throughout the UK and providing professional and personal development opportunities for staff.  For further information on the work of the Butler Trust, please follow the link.

CJI's Chief Inspector Dr Michael Maguire has welcomed the findings and new direction for the Northern Ireland Prison Service advocated by Dame Anne Owers and her Review Team in their interim report which was published today. View Press Release.

 

Dr Michael Maguire addresses the Justice Committee on the Northern Ireland Prison Service Corporate Governance Arrangements Inspection Report published in December 2010. View PDF

CJI is one of 18 UK-wide member bodies designated OPCAT responsibilities. Today, the first annual report of the UK's National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) is published. To view report please click here.

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland is today hosting its 8th annual stakeholder conference at the Stormont Hotel, Belfast. The theme of this year's conference is oversight and accountability.

CJI has today publically reported on how domestic violence and abuse cases are handled by the criminal justice system. View report. View press release.