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
3 results
1
Conclusion
Rejected
Seventh Report - The role of adul…
Increasing remand population and prolonged custody periods pose serious concern
We are concerned by the increasing size of the remand population, and in particular by evidence of the increasing length of time people are spending in custody on remand. Efforts need to be focused on reducing this population and bringing …
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Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation for a rapid evidence review, stating that work is already underway to consider evidence and risks, and the impact on the remand population is modelled in existing prison population projections.
Ministry of Justice
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5
Conclusion
Rejected
Seventh Report - The role of adul…
Application of Bail Act 1976 becoming increasingly risk-averse, warranting investigation
We have not identified significant issues with the legal framework set out in the Bail Act 1976 but have heard repeatedly that the application of the framework is becoming increasingly risk-averse when it comes to rebutting the presumption of bail. …
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Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation, stating that numerous safeguards and a clear legal framework already exist for pre-trial detention and bail decisions, and it has no intention to review the Bail Act 1976 at this time.
Ministry of Justice
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19
Recommendation
Rejected
Seventh Report - The role of adul…
Ensure acquitted individuals receive resettlement support, accommodation assistance, and discharge grants.
It is simply wrong that those who are remanded to custody, potentially for long periods of time, and are then acquitted, have no entitlement to resettlement support. Although they may not fall technically within the responsibility of probation services, the …
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Government Response
The government explicitly rejected the recommendation, explaining that comprehensive guidance on bail conditions already exists in the Adult Court Bench Book and that a new framework would risk complicating the process, without addressing resettlement support for acquitted individuals.
Ministry of Justice
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