The Dorset Criminal Justice System is made up of all the
criminal justice agencies in Dorset. Its aim is to ensure that
Dorset’s criminal justice agencies work together to deliver
joined-up, effective and efficient justice to the people of Dorset
from the moment a crime is reported through to the prosecution,
punishment and rehabilitation of the offender.
The
Dorset Criminal Justice Board was formally established in April
2003, and is made up of the Chief Officers of all Dorset’s criminal
justice agencies. The purpose of the Board is to oversee the joint
working of Dorset’s criminal justice agencies to ensure that
effective and efficient justice is delivered in Dorset. More
information about the Dorset Criminal Justice Board can be found on
their website at http://lcjb.cjsonline.gov.uk/Dorset >
Dorset Police work closely with its partner agencies in the Dorset
Criminal Justice System to raise public confidence by meeting the
needs and expectations of the people of Dorset, by bringing more
offences to justice and by ensuring that victims and witnesses of
crime receive the care and support they need.
The criminal justice agencies that make up the Dorset Criminal
Justice System are:
Dorset Police:
Dorset Police is committed to making Dorset safer and making
Dorset feel safer, by providing the highest quality professional
service to the people of Dorset. Dorset Police works hard to reduce
crime and the fear of crime, whilst aiming to meet the needs and
expectations of the public.
The Crown Prosecution
Service:
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the principal
prosecuting authority in England and Wales.
The CPS are
responsible for advising the police on cases for possible
prosecution, reviewing cases submitted by the police, preparing
cases for court, and presenting cases at court.
The role of the Service is to prosecute cases firmly, fairly and
effectively when there is sufficient evidence to provide a
realistic prospect of conviction and when it is in the public
interest to do so. The CPS are committed to putting
victims and witnesses first.
For more information please visit our website www.cps.gov.uk/dorset >
Click here to visit the CPS national
website >
Her Majesty’s Courts
Service:
Her Majesty’s Courts Service was formed in April 2005, bringing the
work of the Crown Courts and Magistrates’ Courts under the
direction of a single organisation. The majority (96%) of criminal
cases are dealt with through the Magistrates’ Courts, whilst the
more serious cases are heard at the Crown Courts, located in
Bournemouth and Dorchester. Dorset Area of Her Majesty’s Courts
Service is committed to providing access to justice for all court
users as quickly as possible and according to their diverse
needs.
Click here to visit Her Majesty's Court Service Victim and Witness
page >
Click here to visit Her
Majesty's Court Service national website >
Dorset
Probation Service:
Dorset Probation Service is responsible for preparing reports
for the Courts, managing offenders on supervision or Unpaid Work in
the community, working with custodial establishments to manage
offenders whilst in custody and supervising those released from
Prison. This work can help to rehabilitate the offender and reduce
reoffending. Unpaid work also ensures they give something
constructive back to the community. Dorset Probation Service is
committed to minimising the impact of crime on communities and
victims, and is committed to protecting the people of Dorset by
effectively managing offenders in the community.
The Victim Liaison Unit within the Probation Service offers
contact to victims of serious crime where the offender is sentenced
to 12 months or more. The aim of the unit is to provide
timely intervention in respect of contacting victims and giving
correct and timely information in respect of the sentence and
eventual release of the offender. It also gives the victims the
chance to put their views forward in respect of parole reports, and
to discuss any additional licence conditions with the victim
liaison officer. The victim liaison unit maintains contact with the
victim from sentence until the licence ends.
Click here to visit the Dorset Probation Service
website >
Click here to visit the
national Probation Service website >
Her Majesty’s Prison
Service:
Her Majesty’s Prison Service serves the people of Dorset by keeping
in custody people committed by the Courts. Her Majesty’s Prison
Service in Dorset is committed to looking after these people with
humanity and aims to help them lead law abiding lives in custody
and after they are released.
There are four Prisons/Young Offenders Institutes (YOI) in Dorset:
- Her Majesty’s Prison Dorchester
- Her Majesty’s Prison the Verne
- Her Majesty’s Young Offenders Institute Portland and
- Her Majesty’s Prison and YOI Guys Marsh.
Click here to visit Her
Majesty's Prison Service national website >
Bournemouth & Poole Youth Offending Team and Dorset
Youth Offending Team:
There are two Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) in Dorset; the Bournemouth
& Poole YOT and
the Dorset YOT. The
YOTs are
multi-agency partnerships that promote a range of preventative and
diversionary activities for those at risk of offending or
committing anti-social behaviour.
The YOTs deal
with all young people who appear before the courts, preparing
reports, supervising young people in the community and engaging in
sentence planning for those sentenced to custody.
The YOTs promote
restorative justice as a central part of their work.
Nominated staff in the YOTs contact the victims of young
offenders and offer a variety of reparative and restorative
opportunities. Experience has shown that victims have found this a
helpful and reassuring process.
Click here to visit the Bournemouth & Poole Youth Offending
Team website >