MoJ (Ministry of Justice) Review of Custodial Remand For Children (January 2022)

Published:

Summary

Youth Justice partners have worked together to improve remand processes and outcomes in the year since the MoJ- Remand Review was published. We’ve seen some encouraging progress reflected in the annual statistics, however there is still much to do.

Notable amongst the Review- recommendations were the tighter remand tests, which are now in law, and an HMI Probation, HMI Prisons & Ofsted Joint Thematic on Youth Remand, which is underway.

Description

Listed below are the recommendations aimed at local partners in a checklist format to ensure that these are considered as far as possible.

  • Do you have effective information-sharing procedures in relation to remand agreed across partners (via the Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB), Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP))? Are these effective in enabling the YOT to present robust alternatives to custodial to the courts in a timely manner?
  • Do you have appropriate protocols in place between liaison & diversion teams, police, CPS, emergency duty teams, YOT etc, to enable services to identify children at risk of remand early?
  • Is remand included in your YOT- Youth Justice plan in accordance with the YJB- practice note?
  • Does your Youth Justice Management Board conduct practice reviews of remand cases to identify trends, take action on emerging issues and implement lessons learnt?
  • Do existing criminal justice structures provide oversight of remand cases in your local area, (e.g. the LCJB & LCSP)?
  • Can local agencies intensify efforts to understand the diverse needs and backgrounds of children in the area through practical steps such as training, improving staff diversity, and community engagement?
  • Have you seen the changes to Bail ISS in the Case Management Guidance and discussed this new approach with local partners?

The full Remand Review is here: Review of Custodial Remand for Children January 2022 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Contact

Organisation: Ministry of Justice
 
Email: remandreview@justice.gov.uk