A report from Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service
Inspectorate (HMCPSI) found that the Crown Prosecution Service
(CPS) has continued to deliver an effective service despite its
casework increasing at an alarming rate.
HMCPSI first published a report into the CPS’ handling of the
pandemic crisis in June, a further inspection was carried out to
look at the organisations handling of its case backlog.
Inspectors were pleased to find that the CPS has continued to
maintain its service to the public, and has taken steps to ensure
that pressures of increasing caseloads due to the pandemic have
been mitigated and managed. The CPS has moved staff to alleviate
the pressure, moved resources to frontline services, and brought
in secondees from the self-employed bar.
The CPS’ support for the wellbeing of its staff has been good.
There has been a proactive focus on increasing support through
its new Thrive app, as well as through regular online staff
events. However, the inspection revealed that despite the CPS
having a system in place to help target resources, the increasing
caseload is putting pressure on staff which cannot be maintained
indefinitely.
The report highlights that the case backlog not only poses issues
for staff, it has great consequences for victims, witnesses and
defendants. Inspectors noted that long delays affect the ability
of anyone involved in a case to recollect the events and it may
impact on a person’s willingness to attend court to give
evidence, which is a major risk for public confidence.
The inspection found that the CPS has been working with the
police, courts and judiciary to resolve issues. Joined up working
will be essential if the crisis is to be addressed effectively
but there was some evidence of agencies prioritising their own
needs over the needs of others.
Commenting on the report, HM Chief Inspector Kevin McGinty CBE,
said:
“This report shows that through strong leadership the CPS has
been able to maintain and deliver an effective service even as
caseloads have increased at an alarming rate. The pressures faced
by staff at the front line have been recognised, and the CPS has
been innovative in how it has tried to manage and alleviate those
pressures.
“This crisis and the greater delays in getting cases to court has
the potential to further undermine any confidence victims and
witnesses have in our ability to bring them justice. Even before
the pandemic struck the system was too dependent on the hard work
and goodwill of those who work in it. If it is to be a criminal
justice system we all want it to be it has to be appropriately
resourced.”
Note to editors
1. HMCPSI inspects prosecution services, providing evidence to
make the prosecution process better and more accountable. We have
a statutory duty to inspect the work of the Crown Prosecution
Service.
2. The full inspection report is attached.
3. The previous inspection report published in June can be found
here https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmcpsi/inspections/cps-response-to-covid-19-16-march-to-8-may-2020/
4. Inspectors carried out interviews in all 14 CPS Areas.
