2012

A new inspection report on Maghaberry Prison by a multi-disciplinary team lead by CJI and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons has found standards have improved but further improvements are still required View Report Page. 

Brendan McGuigan has been appointed as the new Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.  The announcement was made today (30 November 2012) by the Minister of Justice David Ford MLA (read more).

CJI's Acting Chief Inspector Brendan McGuigan praised the contribution made by PPANI to public safety when he was invited to address guests attending the launch of its Annual Report at Parliament Buildings.

A new inspection report by CJI looking at anti-social behaviour has highlighted the importance of partnership working between the justice system and other Government departments in addressing the issue. View Report Page

Criminal Justice Inspection has published its annual report and accounts for 2011-12 following its approval by the Comptroller and Auditor General  of the Northern Ireland Audit Office. View Report

The Department of Justice has launched a competition to appoint a new Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice for Northern Ireland.

A follow-up review by CJI has found progress within the PSNI over the last three years to embed the ethos of Policing with the Community (PWC) across the organisation.

On 23 August CJI Inspectors Tom McGonigle and Dr Ian Cameron met a delegation of 12 visitors on a study trip to London and Northern Ireland.


 

“While we acknowledge that work that has been undertaken by the justice agencies, and particular the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service, the statistics relating to the number of warrants issued to police, the number of outstanding warrants and the number of fine defaulters being committed to prison remains significant.

“The benefits of early interventions have been well documented in terms of social, emotional, educational and financial outcomes. However, inspectors encountered a number of issues, including a limited overall strategy for justice agencies, a lack of co-ordination between Executive Departments, a cluttered landscape of provision leading to potential duplications and a lack of evaluation of outcomes,” said Acting Chief Inspector, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, Brendan McGuigan.

Justice Minister David For has appointed Brendan McGuigan as Acting Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland. View press release.

“Protection of the public must be at the forefront of any decision to release life sentence prisoners.  It is vital that they are subject to thorough assessment and testing before they can be considered for release as they have been convicted of the most serious offences,” said Deputy Chief Inspector, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, Brendan McGuigan.

“The ways in which a police service makes itself accessible to members of the public and how it manages that first encounter is critical in helping to create confidence in the service user,” said Deputy Chief Inspector, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, Brendan McGuigan.

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland has published its Corporate Plan for 2012-2015 and its Business Plan for 2012-2013.

“We found that the PPS has taken important steps forward in the development of its policies and procedures regarding the giving of reasons to victims on prosecution decisions and found many examples of good practice,” said Deputy Chief Inspector, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, Brendan McGuigan.

“There are many challenges to providing high quality courthouses that are accessible and meet the needs of users now and in the future but what is plain is that a pragmatic solution and a realistic way forward must be sought,” said Deputy Chief Inspector, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, Brendan McGuigan.

“It is widely accepted that many people who are the victims of, or witnesses to crimes, find the criminal justice process stressful and fear-inducing. Special measures are of vital importance in helping vulnerable and intimidated witnesses to give their best evidence,” said Deputy Chief Inspector, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, Brendan McGuigan.

Dr Michael Maguire was one of a number of speakers who addressed the PPANI Special Interest Seminar entitled ‘It’s Good to Talk’ – Communication within and between Agencies, which was held in the Ramada Hotel, Shaws Bridge, Belfast.

The Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland in a follow-up to a report, published in November 2010 into mistaken prisoner releases, has stated that there has been significant effort by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) however there is disappointed at the overall pace of change.    

Entitled, ‘Not a Marginal Issue: Mental health and the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland’ the report is a follow-up to an inspection made in March 2010.

 

While some improvements have been made the CJI report shows that many challenges remain.

In November 2011 Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) who have responsibility for inspecting the United Kingdom Border Agency's (UKBA) immigration estate conducted their first inspection of two immigration short-term holding facilities in Northern Ireland. Both facilities are managed by Reliance, a private security firm. Although CJI do not have the remit to inspect UKBA, as immigration issues fall under direct rule, Rachel Lindsay from CJI was invited to participate in the inspection in light of CJI's role as part of the National Prevention Mechanism against torture and ill-treatment in detention in Northern Ireland. The reports of the inspections were published on HMIP's website on 2 April 2012.

The protocol, launched in July 2009, aims to protect vulnerable adults through the promotion of a multiagency approach to investigation, involving health and social care trusts, the PSNI and RQIA.  View press release. View report.
 

A collaborative Ministerial approach should seek to improve delivery of education and skills provision in Northern Ireland’s prisons as it continues to deteriorate.

The NPM is made up of 18 independent bodies and co-ordinated by HM Inspectorate of Prisons. It was established in 2009 by the UK government to meet its UN treaty obligations regarding the treatment of anyone held in any form of custody. The NPM should have the right to regularly inspect all places of detention for the purpose of monitoring the treatment and conditions of detainees, with the clear purpose of preventing ill treatment of anyone deprived of their liberty. This report summarises the activities of those members. View report.

THE Causeway system has now become an integral part of the criminal justice system impacting on its effectiveness and efficiency.

Dr Michael Maguire addressed those attending the CJI Conference 2012 on meeting the needs of victims and witnesses in the Northern Ireland Criminal Justice System. View Speech

 

“While considerable effort has been made to redress the problem, progress has been slow and indeed performance has got worse for Crown Court cases and for Magistrates’ Court cases which commence through report and summons,” said the chief inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland, Dr Michael Maguire.