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Major changes planned for criminal justice system

Fri, 30 Nov 2012

A report which could pave the way for major changes to the criminal justice system will go before Tynwald next month.

It aims to make the system better, simpler, faster and cheaper -  but it could also mean fewer people are sent to prison and more fixed penalty fines are handed out.

The new strategy was drawn up following a review of the current system which looked at how justice is delivered - from the point of arrest, right through to the outcome of the case.

It found the system is old fashioned and the costs of things like legal aid and keeping people in prison cost millions of pounds more than they should.

The courts are also clogged up with the majority of cases being motoring offences, which can take up to four months to get to court.   

The report suggests a new way of working and a more joined up approach from the agencies involved - it also recommends that only the most serious and persistent offenders are sent to prison and more community orders are handed out.

 

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