The Ministry of Justice will be expanding the Intensive Supervision Courts to build on its ‘Plans for Change’ aims to tackle the root causes of criminal behaviour and cut reoffending.
Responding to the announcement, Bar Council Chair Barbara Mills KC said: “We’re encouraged by the expansion of the Intensive Supervision Courts. These courts reflect exactly the sort of joined-up approach required if rehabilitative sentencing is to be effective. Their one-stop shop, high-intensity, regular-review ethos echoes schemes that have already been working for some time on an ad hoc basis in court centres. Rehabilitation is key to our sentencing regime as it means we can reduce crime and reoffending rates by addressing the root cause for offending which will – importantly – help rebuild public confidence in our justice system.”
In its submission to Gauke’s independent review of sentencing, the Bar Council noted that that intensive, consistent, and focused monitoring is key to rehabilitation. Read the submission.