October - December

Two separate reports by Criminal Justice Inspection into how the PSNI deals with volume crime and the use of police bail have been laid before the Houses of Parliament today.

A report of the findings of a joint unannounced follow-up inspection of Magilligan Prison carried out by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and Criminal Justice Inspection has been published.  The report indicated that improving accommodation was the key to unlocking the potential of the prison and its staff. Inspectors visited the prison between 10 and 19 May 2006.

Criminal Justice Inspection has published its Annual Report for 2005-06. The report charts the progress of the organisation over the last financial year and provides a brief outline of all inspections carried out and published between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2006. Hard copies of the Annual Report can be obtained by writing, phoning or e-mailing CJI directly.

Criminal Justice Inspection has published its interim review on the management of sex offenders in light of the murder of Strabane pensioner Attracta Harron.  The review was carried out by CJI at the request of Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson MP.

Criminal Justice Inspection has published its review of the contribution made by the voluntary and community sector to the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland.  The review recognises the important contribution voluntary and community sector groups currently make and the challenges they will face in the future.

CJI has advertised to recruit an Inspector with experience in Human Resources.  Candidates can obtain further information on the selection criteria and the duties and responsibilities of the post by contacting John McClenaghan at Grafton Recruitment on 028 90 895803 or via e-mail [email protected] or from the following web page www.loadzajobs.co.uk

CJI Chief Inspector Kit Chivers gave evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on community restorative justice. Also giving evidence at this session were Lord Clyde, the former Justice Oversight Commissioner, and the Chairman and Chief Officer of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland.  To view a transcript of the evidence please click on the following link http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk

Amanda Hannan has taken up the post of Inspection Support Officer with CJI.

A letter from Chief Inspector Kit Chivers on the Government’s proposal to merge the Prisons Inspectorate into a unified Justice and Community Safety Inspectorate in England and Wales was published in The Times. The proposal was defeated in a vote in the House of Lords on 10 October and now needs to be re-considered by the Commons.

CJI published its report on Corporate Governance in the Probation Board for Northern Ireland.