The role of adult custodial remand in the criminal justice system
Justice Committee
Closed
Inquiry
This inquiry sought to understand why the number of people on remand has increased since Covid, whether remand to custody is fit for purpose and being appropriately applied, and what effect custodial remand has on the prison population. Read the call for evidence to find out more about the inquiry .
15
Recommendations
13
Conclusions
1
Report
3
Events
Activity timeline 5 events
31 Mar
2023
2023
17 Jan
2023
2023
25 Oct
2022
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
12 Jul
2022
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
5 Jul
2022
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seventh Report - The role of adult custodial remand in the crim… | HC 264 | 17 Jan 2023 | 28 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
2
Conclusion
Accepted
Seventh Report - The role of adul…
Lack of community provision for underlying vulnerabilities contributes to non-violent remands
The large number of people being remanded for non-violent offences suggests that many are being remanded due to repeat offending. This repeat non-violent offending is often symptomatic of underlying vulnerabilities, such as drug abuse, homelessness and mental ill-health, for which …
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Government Response
The government partially accepted the recommendation, stating they are already working with the judiciary to consider the operation of the Bail Act 1976 and do not believe a further additional review of the Act is necessary. They did not commit to new co-ordinated investment in community services.
Ministry of Justice
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6
Conclusion
Accepted
Seventh Report - The role of adul…
Magisterial training requires focus on remand principles and alternatives to custody
Magistrates are responsible for hearing the majority of cases that lead to remanding to custody, and we heard that, particularly during the pandemic, the focus of training was on new ways of working and the use of technology. The application …
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Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, outlining plans to improve pre-sentence report quality and delivery through a unified Probation Service, £155m additional funding, recruiting 1,500 trainee Probation Officers, and working with the judiciary on procedural and technological reforms to reduce delays.
Ministry of Justice
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16
Conclusion
Accepted
Seventh Report - The role of adul…
High number of low-risk women unnecessarily placed on custodial remand.
We are concerned by the high number of women placed on remand despite the often low risk that they pose to the public and the fact that many will not go on to receive a custodial sentence. The Ministry of …
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Government Response
The government detailed existing support for accommodation and homelessness and committed to extending Community Resettlement Service contracts for accommodation and Women’s Services to include unsentenced people in prison, noting that two regional contract extensions have already commenced.
Ministry of Justice
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20
Recommendation
Accepted
Seventh Report - The role of adul…
Increase judges' and magistrates' awareness and confidence in effective alternatives to custodial remand.
Custodial remand should only be used for those who are not suitable for alternatives, such as conditional bail or electronic monitoring. Greater engagement is needed between the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary on the alternatives currently available to custodial …
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Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation and detailed specific actions taken, including court outreach, awareness briefings to over 2,000 people, and the production of a video, committing to continue expanding engagement with the judiciary on electronic monitoring.
Ministry of Justice
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