The Criminal Justice Alliance (CJA) has today, 30 July, published a report entitled Time for change: A call for collaborative criminal justice reform, highlighting the critical need for systemic change within the criminal justice system (CJS) through strengthened partnerships between the government and civil society. The report is a clarion call for a transformative approach to address long-standing challenges and inequities within the CJS, exacerbated over decades by an increasingly punitive approach from policy makers.
“With a new government at the helm, there is now a critical opportunity to reimagine and reform our criminal justice system. Time for change emphasises that sustainable and meaningful change can only be achieved through strong partnerships between the government and civil society,” says Annette So, CJA Director.
“The systemic challenges we face require a unified approach where the voluntary and community sectors alongside people directly impacted by the justice system, are not just consulted but actively involved as strategic partners. This collaborative effort is essential to build a fairer, more effective, and values-driven criminal justice system that truly serves all members of our society.”
Key findings and recommendations
The report is the culmination of six comprehensive consultations conducted between February and March 2024, covering vital areas such as victim services, prison conditions, services for women, institutional racism, the role of academia, and the engagement of individuals with lived experience. It emphasises the importance of creating sustainable, long-term solutions that focus on prevention, rehabilitation, and addressing social determinants that lead individuals into the CJS. Key recommendations include:
Victim services and restorative justice (RJ):
- Standardise commissioning requirements by setting minimum service standards
- Adopt a national strategy or action plan for restorative justice
- Incorporate the Victims’ Code into statute
Prison and probation conditions:
- Implement a regime prioritising education, engagement, and physical activity in prison settings
- Place a greater focus on rehabilitation over punishment
- Foster supportive relationships between staff and those in the system to improve trust and engagement
Addressing institutional racism:
- Strengthen the Equality Act and accountability framework for policing
- Invest in youth and community services
- Conduct a follow-up review of the Metropolitan Police
Services for women and girls:
- Expand holistic diversion and early intervention services
- Address bias and criminalisation by tackling systemic issues and providing mandatory training on implicit bias and gender-specific issues
- Conduct a follow-up review of the Metropolitan Police
Engagement of people with lived experience:
- Ensure government employment schemes are monitored for best practices and incentives are provided for employers to support applicants with criminal records
- Prioritise consultations with individuals with lived experience (including people in prison) in policy development through lived experience councils
- Establish clear lines of accountability and mechanisms for feedback to ensure that lived experience perspectives are valued and integrated effectively
Role of academia:
- Address chronic understaffing issues in the probation system
- Make a fiscal argument central to the benefits of a more progressive criminal justice policy
- Ensure the independence of accountability/scrutiny mechanisms
The report urges the new government to harness the expertise, passion, and commitment of civil society organisations to drive forward a values-driven agenda for a fair and effective justice system. The CJA stands committed to supporting civil society organisations in the criminal and social justice sectors, and the government, in fostering systemic change and reform together.
Download the report here
