CJI outlines plans for ‘strategic and operational improvement’ across justice system

CJI chief executive James Corrigan said this includes a series of new inspections and follow-up reviews, with evidence-based reports “targeted at delivering improvement at a strategic and operational level” over the next 12 months.

The annual Business Plan and Inspection Programme for 2022-23 is the last in the current three-year corporate planning period.

Jacqui Durkin, Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland, said it was aligned with the key themes identified in the CJI corporate plan of “better services and delivery; better efficiency and effectiveness; better protection and safeguarding; better strategy and governance; and better outcomes”.

Mr Corrigan said the inspection programme has been approved by the Minister of Justice and supports the aim of “achieving a better justice system for all”.

“It also contains the objective and targets we have set for the organisation for 2022/23,” he added.

The programme includes inspections already in progress, inspections carried forward from the last financial year and new inspections. It also includes a series of follow-up reviews to assess progress in implementing recommendations made in previous inspection reports and reviews.

Among the new inspections is an assessment of community safety and local policing arrangements. This will examine the effectiveness of strategy and governance for community safety and the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s local policing arrangements, including the links between strategic planning and operational service delivery, links to policing and community safety partnerships and local government community planning, outcomes for communities and responsiveness to crime.

The CJI also plans to examine how the criminal justice system engages with, and treats, vulnerable older people, including as victims and witnesses, levels of reported crime and how they are dealt with, investigation and prosecution outcomes, links to safeguarding, support during case progression and court disposal.

“We will be undertaking a series of new inspections and follow-up reviews to produce evidence-based reports with recommendations targeted to deliver improvement across the criminal justice system at a strategic and operational level,” said Mr Corrigan.

“We will maintain effective working relationships with inspected organisations and deal with a very challenging budget allocation while maintaining high-quality corporate governance standards and engaging and promoting the wellbeing and development of our people as we return to increased levels of on-site fieldwork and face to face engagement.”

Ms Durkin said the inspection programme was designed after consultation with inspected organisations and key stakeholders, partner inspectorates, internal discussion and consideration of the inspections being carried forward.

“The final programme content was my decision and I am pleased that the Minister of Justice has approved it,” said the chief inspector.

Ms Durkin added: “This year’s inspection programme reflects the impact of the pandemic on inspected organisations and their staff, and the time and resources required to complete the Care and Supervision Unit requested review and plans in place to undertake follow-up work in this area as well as resources available within our own organisation and partner inspectorates.

“The number of inspections included has been designed to realistically reflect ongoing work and inspector resources.

“We look forward to the further restoration of safe on-site fieldwork and office-based working while continuing to reap the benefits of using technology and remote working where it’s appropriate and better for criminal justice organisations, our stakeholders and evidence gathering.

“We are starting this year with less inspector resource and in the hope that more on-site inspection activity and face-to-face meetings can take place safely, but we are holding on to the advantages of video meetings and focus groups when that is appropriate and produces quality evidence gathering.”

Ms Durkin concluded: “During this year we will use inspection to deliver performance improvement in the criminal justice system to achieve a better experience and better outcomes for those who use its services.

“The chief executive and I look forward to a challenging year ahead and reporting our progress in our annual report and accounts.”