Latest News
New guidance on prosecuting assisted suicide cases
26 February 2010
Prosecutors have been offered clearer guidance on prosecuting assisted suicide cases, following the publication of guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Supporting victims of sexual violence? Apply now for funding
1 February 2010
Applications for grant funding are now invited from voluntary sector organisations that provide support to victims of sexual violence.
Supporting homicide victims? Apply now for funding
29 January 2010
Applications for grant funding are now invited from voluntary sector agencies that provide support to people bereaved by murder or manslaughter.
Update local communities on criminal convictions
03 December 2009
Offenders' crimes and their punishments will be shared more frequently with local communities under new Government guidelines published today, which encourage the police and other criminal justice agencies to make this information more widely available.
Frontline services to support individual victims' needs
05 November 2009
Frontline services should focus as much on supporting victims as catching and punishing offenders, according to a study by Victims' Champion Sara Payne published today.
In support of people with mental health needs
19 October 2009
How can criminal justice practitioners work more effectively with people who have mental health problems? A practice review, published today, seeks to provide answers to this question.
Assisted suicide prosecutions: Have your say
02 October 2009
CJS practitioners have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on prosecutions in cases of assisted suicide.
Nominate someone for a Justice Award
01 June 2009
Do you know someone working in the Criminal Justice System who has gone the extra mile in their work? The Justice Awards give staff and volunteers the opportunity to nominate their colleagues and teams, helping them get the recognition they deserve.
Tackling youth re-offending
12 May 2009
Youth offending teams will be working with other CJS partners in a new scheme aimed at reducing re-offending among high-risk young offenders. The initiative seeks to tackle re-offending among young offenders who pose the highest risk of re-offending and causing serious harm to others.
Witnesses at the heart of the Criminal Justice System
03 April 2009
The Criminal Justice System's commitment to witnesses came into focus yesterday for practitioners across the country. The launch of the Witness Charter will support the police, the CPS, Witness Care Units, HMCS and the Witness Service to jointly deliver high standards of care for witnesses.
Young volunteers steal the show
22 October 2008
Youth was in the spotlight yesterday as two volunteers with a combined age of 34 scooped the two most prestigious Justice Awards. Frontline Matters extends its warmest congratulations to them, as well as to all 700 practitioners nominated.
Key role for CJS staff in improving public confidence
11 September 2008
We have a huge role to play in improving public confidence, CJS practitioners were reminded yesterday by a report from the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. The evaluation report provides further evidence of the positive impact improving people's understanding of the CJS has on their confidence in it.
New scheme to help women break cycle of offending
03 September 2008
This week sees the launch of a new condition for women as part of the Conditional Caution scheme. The condition, available to the police and prosecutors since Monday, is aimed at women who commit low-level offences and requires them to attend a Together Women Project Centre.
Joined-up working is only way to tackle youth crime, says Government action plan
25 July 2008
Tackling youth crime can only be achieved through criminal justice agencies and partner organisations working in partnership, the Government said last week. The Youth Crime Action Plan, published last Tuesday, details how practitioners from CJS agencies and partner organisations can work together.
Justice Awards - Only two weeks until close of nominations
22 July 2008
Practitioners hoping to nominate a team or colleague for a Justice Award have just two weeks to go until the deadline ends. The Justice Awards recognise the exceptional achievements by staff from a criminal justice agency or from a voluntary sector organisation working with victims, witnesses, defendants or offenders. There are thousands of people working within the Criminal Justice System whose outstanding contribution goes unseen. You can help them get the recognition that they deserve.
Performance management tool goes national
17 July 2008
Practitioners concerned with performance will welcome today's official launch of a new secure web-based performance management system. The system called CJ Know-How will support the Criminal Justice System (CJS) in delivering an improved service to the public in England and Wales.
Northumberland practitioner wins prison officer of the year award
15 July 2008
Frontline Matters would like to congratulate David Wingfield for winning the prestigious prison officer of the year award 2008. David was rewarded in the 'managing difficult offenders' category.
OUT NOW! New leaflet for offenders on alternatives to prosecution
14 July 2008
A new leaflet on out-of-court disposals is now available to criminal justice practitioners. The leaflet, titled 'I'm an adult and I've been arrested - what can happen to me?', is aimed at adult offenders.
Suffolk Local Criminal Justice Board wins prestigious award
10 July 2008
Frontline Matters would like to congratulate Suffolk Local Criminal Justice Board who have just won a regional Golden Communicator of the Year Award from the British Association of Communicators in Business (CiB).
First results of victim and witness survey published
03 July 2008
Early findings of the WAVES victim and witness survey are out today. Three quarters of victims and witnesses said they were satisfied with their overall contact with the Criminal Justice System.
MBE for domestic violence practitioner
03 July 2008
Frontline Matters would like to extend its warmest congratulations to Marianne Fellowes on her award of an MBE. A county domestic violence co-ordinator for Suffolk, Marianne received her award for services to domestic violence at this year's Queen's birthday honours on 13 June 2008.
Have your say - Criminal Justice System Staff Survey
19 May 2008
Ipsos MORI is carrying out a survey on behalf of the Crime and Communities Review at the Cabinet Office, and is seeking input from criminal justice practitioners. The closing date was 9 June 2008.
Justice Awards 2008 are here!
15 May 2008
Do you know a colleague who goes above and beyond the call of duty in their job? Give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for a Justice Award today.
Staffordshire police officer scoops cop of the year award
12 May 2008
Frontline Matters would like to congratulate Sergeant Zoe Kelsall of Staffordshire Police for being named police officer of the year. Zoe received the award last month at the British Association for Women in Policing's annual awards ceremony. Twelve other officers also won awards in categories that included mentoring, leadership and community service.
Crime and Communities Review - Have your say
03 April 2008
The Government is conducting a review on crime and communities. It is keen to hear criminal justice practitioners' views on how the Criminal Justice System and local communities can best work together to reduce crime and raise community confidence.
New Business Plan published for Criminal Justice System
28 February 2008
The Government has set out its targets for criminal justice in the year ahead. The Criminal Justice System Business Plan 2008/09, published today, also details how Local Criminal Justice Boards will contribute to their delivery.
Working together for simple, speedy, summary justice
11 February 2008
The latest update from the CJSSS project has been published. Following the end of the project's implementation in the magistrates' courts, it outlines improvements made, lessons learnt and results achieved.
Facts and figures on the CJS
22 January 2008
The latest statistics on the CJS are now available for staff in the form of a pocket-sized fact card, as well as a booklet including key facts and figures.
Findings on conditional cautioning published
17 December 2007
The government is today publishing three papers on conditional cautioning which will be of interest to police and prosecutors.
Rape consultation response published
29 November 2007
The Government has issued its response to the consultation document Convicting Rapists and Protecting Victims - Justice for Victims of Rape. The consultation was published by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform in March 2006.
New vision for criminal justice
15 November 2007
The Government has outlined its vision for the Criminal Justice System for the next three years. Its strategic plan, published today, sets out how it will build on the successes of the last five years.
Justice Award winners announced
5 November 2007
The Justice Awards ceremony, which took place today, rewarded the outstanding contributions of frontline staff across the Criminal Justice System. Frontline Matters would like to congratulate all 830 practitioners who were nominated for an award.
Practitioners in the spotlight
5 November 2007
Frontline staff and senior justice officials across England and Wales are celebrating the success of 30 individuals and teams today at the national Justice Awards ceremony. The annual event rewards teams and individuals from across the Criminal Justice System who have gone that extra mile in carrying out their duty to deliver justice.
Government responds to HASC report
18 October 2007
Following a Home Affairs Select Committee report called Young Black People and the Criminal Justice System, the Government has published its response. For each of the committee's recommendations, it describes work already underway aimed at tackling the issues highlighted, and signals its commitment to build on this progress.
New CJS budget and priorities announced
9 October 2007
The Government announces a new Public Service Agreement for the CJS as part of the latest Comprehensive Spending Review. The white paper also sets out departmental budgets and priorities for the next three years.