Seven-year Justice Framework proposal submitted for approval

Sunday 10 April 2022

The Committee for Home Affairs has published a policy letter seeking approval for Guernsey’s first ever Justice Framework.

The Committee’s proposal, which seeks to support the States in maintaining a “just, inclusive, safe, and fair society”, will be considered by the States Assembly on 25 May.

A spokesperson for the Committee said: “The Justice Framework provides outcomes and principles that seek to guide and coordinate improvements to our justice system and specifically matters of justice policy.

“It covers justice in its broadest sense, which includes social, family and criminal justice, which is a relatively new perspective for the community.”

Pictured: Public views on the justice system will be considered as part of the proposals. 

The Justice Framework builds on the Justice Review Report, an extensive review of the justice system undertaken in 2020. The report included the public’s views on the justice system.

“The Committee is proposing a seven-year timeframe, starting this year, for delivery of the justice outcomes in recognition of the breadth of work identified to improve justice within our small jurisdiction’s capacity,” said the spokesperson.

“This timeframe factors in the need for the government to respond to and prioritise resources on managing the impacts of recent global shocks and changes such as the covid pandemic, Brexit and the war in Ukraine, as well as managing the impacts of rising costs of living.”

The Framework will link with existing actions, plans and strategies across the States that contribute to its outcomes and the outcomes which the community wishes to see delivered by Government.

The spokesperson continued: “The Justice Framework provides the community with the parameters for improvements to work within and clearly demonstrates that it will require cross-committee working, delivered in partnership with services across the community, including members of the public.”

Pictured: Committee for Home Affairs President, Deputy Rob Prow. 

Actions to deliver the justice outcomes identified in the Framework will be captured in a Justice Action Plan, which will be published once the States has agreed the Framework, following the Government Work Plan debate in June 2022, when government considers its priorities and allocates its resources for the remainder of this political term.

“The Committee for Home Affairs’ recognises the challenges facing government and will seek to ensure that where possible the justice actions will be phased according to available resources or considered for prioritisation through the annual review of the Government Work Plan,” continued the spokesperson.

Committee for Home Affairs President, Deputy Rob Prow, said it was “a pleasure” to present the Justice Framework.

“I am grateful for the cooperation of my colleagues across government who have been consulted to ensure that the Justice Framework reflects a cross-committee approach to a broader concept of justice,” he said.

Pictured: The Justice Framework policy letter will be discussed at the States' Assembly on 25 May. 

Deputy Prow continued: “Justice is not only about law enforcement and addressing criminal activity but is closely linked to social and health factors, such as poverty, education and substance use, which requires us to work together to see the desired improvements.

"Although not one of government’s Top Ten Priorities, justice is a matter of great importance for every civilised community and we live in a community which rightly has high expectations to maintain a low-crime rate. As I have said previously, the Committee for Home Affairs recognises the challenges that government is facing.

“Funding or resources will not automatically be available and a collaborative approach will be needed to ensure that actions are prioritised and phased, according to our capacity to deliver and the needs, interests and values of the community as understood at this time.”

The policy letter can be read in full HERE.