Agenda item

The Panel received a report of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) which provided an update in relation to the development of the work of the Local Criminal Justice Board (LCJB) and Local Criminal Justice updates. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 6’, is filed with these minutes.

Arising from discussion, the following points were raised:

(i)         The Chairman raised concern that it was not clear how some of the issues included within the report were relevant at a local level. The Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) acknowledged that a large amount of information had been included within the report. However, many of the issues highlighted report had been included as they were relevant at both a national and a local level, such as a backlog of cases in the Crown Court and prison overcapacity issues.

(ii)        In relation to the prison Early Release Scheme, concern was raised that there was often not adequate housing provision for prison leavers within the force area. The Police and Crime Commissioner acknowledged this concern and stated that challenges or housing authorities often occurred when prison leavers were resettled within the force area. A prison leaver task group, led by the LCJB Chair, in conjunction with key stakeholders, would be created by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) in order to explore the issue of housing availability for prisoners resettled within the force area.

(iii)       A question was raised regarding the impact of the Early Release Scheme on the local communities, in terms of crime. The DPCC assured the Panel that the reoffending rate across the force area had remained low. She agreed that clear communication on the Early Release scheme would be essential in providing local communities with assurances regarding safety. The DPCC agreed to provide the Panel with a breakdown of reoffending rates relating to the Scheme.

(iv)      The DPCC stated that it was not clear whether the strategy for release in future tranches of the Scheme would be similar to that relating to the first two tranches. Certain offence types had been excluded, which largely fall into the categories of domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviour, stalking, sexual offences and national security offences. The DPCC agreed to provide the Panel with information relating to the strategy once the position was clear.

(v)        With regards to the recommendations outlined within the report, the DPCC confirmed that an action plan had been developed to measure performance and that work against these was progressing. The Chairman stated that it would be important for the Panel to have oversight of performance against this action plan. The DPCC agreed to provide the Panel with an overview of progress relating to the recommendations.

(vi)      In response to a question asked, the DPCC agreed to provide the Panel with an overview of the governance and scrutiny model relating to the Early Release Scheme.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the contents of the report on the development of the work of the Local Criminal Justice Board, be noted.

(b)       That the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (DPCC) be requested to provide the Panel with a breakdown of reoffending rates relating to the prison Early Release Scheme.

(c)        That the DPCC be requested to provide the Panel with information regarding future tranches of the prison Early Release Scheme once the strategy was clear.

(d)       That the DPCC be requested to provide the Panel with an overview of progress relating to recommendations outlined within the Local Criminal Justice Board Update report.

(e)       That the DPCC be requested to provide the Panel with an overview of the governance and scrutiny model relating to the Early Release Scheme.