IPS_Innovative Prison Systems’ Post

Many of us who work in the law hear this sort of thing on a daily basis from judges and others acquainted with the inner workings of the justice system. Very rarely does it make it into the news. But it should. People like me have become desensitised to it. We shrug our shoulders and just accept it as an inescapable part of the job. C'est la vie. Meanwhile, The Law Society has advised firms to consider scaling back their legal aid work or withdrawing from the sector altogether as the government invites them to tender for 10-year contracts before the MoJ has published its consultation response on police station and youth court fees, or revised its position following the High Court ruling earlier this year that the failure to raise legal aid fees was unlawful. A functioning justice system is not a luxury; without it, you don't have a functioning society. Write to your MP. Tell your friends and family about it. Make it a big deal. Frankly, it's more important and deserving of more outrage than who got free Taylor Swift tickets last year... https://lnkd.in/e8WBmfry #justicematters

For all connected to the criminal justice system - please read and distribute widely. We are witnessing a fundamental transformation in the criminal justice system as we know it. https://lnkd.in/esEKpTAp

I’ve authored an article for Live Law examining the legality of frequent Parole granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, addressing public concerns and suggesting way forward. You can access the piece here: https://lnkd.in/gGdRXcVg

The Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board Annual calls for increase in prison law fees: a "substantial increase" in prison law legal aid fees required to prevent "false economy"   Prison law legal aid appears to have been largely forgotten in the wider concerns about the criminal justice system, even though constant changes to the parole process have made this area of work more complex and demanding - as has the ongoing prison capacity crisis.   This annual report from the CLAAB is extremely welcome. It acknowledges that "this is an area where the work has become increasingly complex, and specialist practitioners are leaving in large numbers" and that the The Association of Prison Lawyers report published in August 2023 stated "three-quarters of prison lawyers surveyed did not think they would be doing prison law legal aid work in three years’ time."   The report finds that "unless a substantial increase is made to prison law fees, there is likely to be a complete collapse in provision. The failure to adequately remunerate prison lawyers may prove to be a false economy, since without access to legal advice prisoners eligible for parole are more likely to end up spending longer in prison. At a time when the prison population is at crisis levels, it is counterproductive to make it more difficult to hold effective and efficient parole hearings."   The report recommends that "prison law fees be increased to take account of the increasing complexity and importance of this work."   https://lnkd.in/eX_PUfcy

Learn more about the Justice Reform Foundation, a great organization I have the honor of serving with for the promulgation and improvement of criminal justice policy in America. #justicereform #criminallaw #texaslawyer #justiceimpacted #service

Learn about California's 'Three Strikes' Law, a legal provision that imposes harsh penalties for repeat offenders. Find out how this law impacts individuals in the criminal justice system:

The general public must be actively involved in the judicial system of a society to ensure that the law never fails to deliver justice. ........... Public involvement in the judicial system is crucial for ensuring that justice is delivered effectively and equitably. Here are key points highlighting the importance of active public participation: ## Importance of Public Participation 1. **Enhancing Trust and Legitimacy**: Public participation fosters trust in the judicial system. When citizens are actively involved, they are more likely to perceive the judiciary as legitimate and accountable. This relationship is vital, as public support can influence judicial decision-making and enhance the overall effectiveness of the legal system. 2. **Improving Service Delivery**: Engaging the public leads to better service delivery within the criminal justice system. By incorporating public feedback, judicial processes can be tailored to meet community needs, thereby improving satisfaction and outcomes. The public can participate through various roles, such as lay magistrates or community watchdogs, which helps in creating a sense of ownership over the justice system. 3. **Addressing Public Concerns**: The judiciary often operates in a vacuum without sufficient input from those it serves. By involving citizens in decision-making processes, courts can better understand and address community concerns, leading to more relevant and responsive legal outcomes. 4. **Facilitating Transparency**: Public participation promotes transparency in judicial processes. When citizens are informed and involved, they can hold judicial officers accountable, which helps mitigate perceptions of corruption and inefficiency within the system. Mechanisms like Court Users Committees have been established to enhance this engagement and improve communication between the judiciary and the public. 5. **Building Community Capacity**: Sustained public involvement not only improves judicial outcomes but also builds community capacity for managing social issues. It encourages collaborative problem-solving and fosters relationships among stakeholders, enhancing overall societal resilience. ## Mechanisms for Engagement - **Court Users Committees**: These forums allow different stakeholders to collaborate on improving court administration and addressing community needs effectively. - **Public Consultations**: Engaging citizens through consultations helps gather diverse perspectives that inform judicial policies and practices. - **Community-Based Initiatives**: Programs that involve citizens in oversight roles or as mediators can bridge gaps between victims and offenders, enhancing restorative justice practices. In conclusion, active public participation is indispensable for a just legal system. It not only enhances trust and accountability but also ensures that the judiciary remains responsive to the evolving needs of society.

The future of the criminal justice system is bleak!

An important read about harmful criminal legal system laws going in effect now and later this month in KY!

Very excited to contribute to the latest issue of the European Journal of Probation, a special edition focusing on the application of the principle of mutual trust in prison and probation matters. Emmanuelle Laudic-Baron and I are proud to present our paper, "Navigating criminal justice co-operation: A French perspective on EU Framework Decisions 2008/947/JAI and 2009/829/JAI." In this article, we provide practical insights into the implementation of these framework decisions, which play a crucial role in facilitating the mutual recognition of judicial decisions, probation measures, and alternative sanctions among EU member states. Through our analysis of the French experience, we shed light on the challenges and opportunities that arise from the application of these framework decisions, ultimately aiming to promote more effective cooperation within the European criminal justice system. Our article emphasises the importance of enhancing communication, trust, and collaboration among stakeholders within the EU’s criminal justice system, underscores the need for better training and the strengthening of probation services, and acknowledges the significant contributions of EU-funded projects and organisations in advancing the knowledge and efficiency of European criminal law. https://lnkd.in/dPSM-JXg