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Putting more focus on early intervention could reduce offending by helping to tackle mental health, drug offending and other causes of crime, an independent reviewer has said.
Director of UK consultancy service Do It Justice, Gemma Buckland, was appointed to lead an independent review of Guernsey’s justice policy, starting in April this year.
The consultancy firm will make recommendations to help shape Home Affairs' much-delayed justice policy later this year, and has already been in contact with Law Enforcement, the Courts, Guernsey Prison and many other States and third sector agencies to better understand where changes need to be made.
"I understand from the discussions I have had with people already that there are many areas where people want to see change and this is their opportunity to tell us so that the community can work towards a more inclusive approach to justice," said Ms Buckland. “As well as hearing from the general public, I’m really keen to hear from young people and those with experience of the system whether as professionals working within agencies, both justice agencies and other agencies who may be dealing with the after effects of crime or family breakdown.”
Pictured: There have been discussions between Guernsey and Jersey in recent months about potentially sharing prison space because of increasing prisoner numbers.
Ms Buckland, who previously worked with the UK's Justice Select Committee, has already gained some insights which she is looking to explore further.
"One of my observations is that criminal justice and family justice are quite focussed on the justice system."
With demands on the justice system increasing and budgets tight, Ms Buckland is considering whether more resources should be put into early intervention and support in the community.
"This phase is about information gathering and making sure that we understand the current demands on the system, as well as the wider views of the public and their perspective of what justice means and what the approach should be in the Bailiwick.
"We want to find out whether you could achieve better outcomes from taking a different approach. For example, do you build a new prison or put more money into family nurses."
Pictured: The range of sentences available to the courts is determined by Home Affairs' justice policy.
Other considerations include helping people with mental health issues, treatment for people with drug addictions and looking at the inter-generational aspects of crime and offending behaviour.
The end result, Ms Buckland said, should take a broad view of justice and social policy which will make a positive difference over the next 10 to 15 years.
That means constructing an approach to social justice that learns from successful practices elsewhere, but is devised specifically with Guernsey in mind.
"I am very aware that we need to come up with something bespoke to the Bailiwick - it is not a question of importing a model from elsewhere."
A public survey is open from today until Friday 25 October. It is available online, via gov.gg “Your Views” and via the States of Guernsey social media pages. The survey is available in paper format from Sir Charles Frossard House, Edward T Wheadon House, Police Headquarters, The Royal Court, The Guille Allez Library, Beau Sejour, The Hub and Parish Douzaine Rooms.
Pictured top: Gemma Buckland.
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