Fourth Discussion Document – 'The Community and the Criminal Justice System'
The Community and the Criminal Justice System’ is the fourth and final discussion document to be published in the process leading to a White Paper on Crime. The document is available in PDF format or as html from the link below. Hard copies are available on request.
White Paper on Crime Discussion Document No.4 - June 2011
As was the case with the previous discussion documents in the series, this document is aimed at the general reader and comprises a non-specialist overview of the issues, together with a number of questions to assist in shaping discussion and feedback.
The document looks at the range of interactions between the public and the criminal justice system and considers how:
- the criminal justice system can best meet public expectations in protecting communities and responding to crime;
- community engagement with the criminal justice system can be strengthened; and,
- the experience of individuals in their interactions with the criminal justice system can be improved.
The commitment in the Programme for Government to enact legislation to strengthen the rights of victims of crime and their families is particularly relevant to this phase of the consultation process.
At the outset the document considers those characteristics which engender public confidence in the criminal justice system and the impact that this has on engagement with, and support of the system. The document further considers public knowledge and awareness of the criminal justice system, including the availability of accurate and current information on the performance of that system. The role of the media in shaping people’s awareness of crime and criminal justice issues is also examined.
The document next looks at relationships between criminal justice agencies, including An Garda Síochána, and the community. Developments in community policing are described in this section, as well as initiatives which respond to the needs of specific groups within the community.
The document then outlines the various interactions an individual might have with the criminal justice system whether as a victim, witness, suspect, accused, or juror, and the relevant legislative and administrative frameworks.
Examples of the questions flagged for detailed consideration include:
- What works well in the present system to serve members of the public in their direct dealings with the criminal justice system? How can what works well be replicated more widely in the system?
- How can the various parts of the criminal justice system best work together to meet the needs of victims, witnesses and the wider community?
- What measures can be taken to enhance public confidence in the operation of the criminal justice system and its capacity to tackle and to prevent crime and the fear of crime?
- What is the role of legislation in improving the experience of victims of crime in the criminal justice system? What might usefully be included in such legislation?
- How can members of the public be encouraged to play a greater role in responding to crime, whether by providing information, or engaging in local voluntary activity?
- What might be done to improve awareness of the activities of the criminal justice agencies and the services they provide?
Written submissions on this discussion document were invited before the end of August 2011 and an overview of submissions received was published in December, 2011.
Regional consultation meetings on the issues raised in the document were held in May and June 2011. A report on the proceedings of these meetings was prepared by the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) and was published in August 2011.
These documents are available in PDF format or as html from the link below. Hard copies are available on request.
'The Community and the Criminal Justice System' - Overview of Written Submissions
Overview of the White Paper on Crime Process
First Discussion Document – ‘Crime Prevention and Community Safety’
Second Discussion Document - 'Criminal Sanctions'
Second Discussion Document - 'Criminal Sanctions' - Summary of Consultation Outcomes
Third Discussion Document - 'Organised and White Collar Crime'
Third Discussion Document - 'Organised and White Collar Crime' - Summary of Consultation Outcomes
Summary of Consultation Outcomes – "Older Citizens and the Issue of Crime"