A Justice System Fit for the Future: What have we learnt from coronavirus which will help build a fair & effective justice system & give people the best chance a second chance?
#JusticePostCOVID
COVID-19 continues to significantly impact the most vulnerable in our society, including those in custody and those being released from prison. With prisons in lockdown; the Early Release Scheme releasing fewer than 100 additional people; and probation and resettlement support being delivered in completely new ways, it is crucial we understand the impact and what lessons we should be learning now, so we can improve our justice system for the future and give people the best chance at a second chance. As a charity delivering support in prison and in the community we have seen and heard firsthand the very real impact of the lockdown and the critical need for support for people leaving prison, including having somewhere safe to stay and access to financial and health support. The Ministry of Justice plays a critical role in this but with responsibility for vital support also held by other Government departments, a truly cross-governmental approach is needed.
On Thursday 2nd July, 11am-12.30pm, we hosted a remote panel event, hearing from key figures (see list below) working across prisons, probation, health and welfare, supporting people in the justice system. This was followed by a Q&A session. Thank you to all who attended and submitted questions; it was an insightful and rich day, full of many learnings and much discussion.
- Chair: Campbell Robb, Chief Executive, Nacro
- Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland MP
- Dame Anne Owers DBE, Chair, Independent Monitoring Boards
- Jeremy Hayles, Nacro Resettlement Manager
- Kate Davies CBE, Director of Health & Justice, Armed Forces & SARCS, NHS England
- John-Paul Marks, Director General Work & Health Services, Department for Work and Pensions
Find out about our work within the criminal justice system here.
Sign up to hear from us about campaigns and events here. Any questions about the event or similar future events should be sent to policy@nacro.org.uk.
Video content from the event:
Highlights:
Our remote panel event has started, with key figures speaking who work across criminal justice, including @RobertBuckland. Introduction from @campbell_robb: “The last 3 months have seen immense change; with unprecedented times should come unprecedented learning” #JusticePostCOVID pic.twitter.com/UeAjhHOMd1
— Nacro (@Nacro) July 2, 2020
‘We can’t solve things like mental health and housing by investing in prisons. If we are making a new start we should invest in housing and mental health’ #JusticePostCOVID
— Nacro (@Nacro) July 2, 2020
.@RobertBuckland: "The msg for me about COVID-19, is that no part of the system could've worked without support from elsewhere. The essence of togetherness. We must hold onto this. The panel to this Nacro event reflects this, with representatives from all over" #JusticePostCOVID pic.twitter.com/47bxKkiGdr
— Nacro (@Nacro) July 2, 2020
Response. @RobertBuckland: "Designed to reflect the more limited prep time prisoners had in terms of early release. Not going to say this is a permanent change. £46 has been same for long time. We are reviewing this, but want to do something different" #JusticePostCOVID https://t.co/5ef91isCVF
— Nacro (@Nacro) July 2, 2020
"I do think that there is work that can be done in terms of different types of sentences (tagging, restriction orders etc), there are a myriad of different ways of preventing time in custody for someone" – @RobertBuckland #JusticePostCOVID https://t.co/7aFH6gQOf5
— Nacro (@Nacro) July 2, 2020
