COLLECTION OF CJS STATISTICS
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 There is a range of related initiatives
on statistical issues—some in-house and some inter-agency—heralding
significant and far-reaching changes in the way CJS performance
is recorded and measured.
2. STATISTICAL
RECOMMENDATIONS OF
THE GLIDEWELL
REVIEW
2.1 Glidewell highlighted discrepancies
between the records of the various CJS agencies, and recommended
work to place data on a comparable basis. This recommendation
was taken forward by the multi-agency Criminal Justice Information
Working Group, which reported to Strategic Planning Group in December
1999.
2.2 The Group's report comprised proposals
for:
— a set of comparable statistics derived
from the best sources presently available, as a short term solution.
This places heavy reliance on CPS records to deliver the analysis
of case outcomes.
— a medium term study of the reasons
for discrepancies between the agencies' records of the outcome
of particular cases; and
— work on a longer term ideal solution
of providing a fully integrated CJS management information system
tracking defendants, offences, and charges from entry point to
disposal, and allowing "whole system" information on
a consistent basis while being flexible enough to slice data according
to the differing needs of each Department.
3. CJS MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION STUDY
3.1 The latter proposal is important. SPG
commissioned a separate project to take it forward: the CJS Management
Information Study, led by Robert Fulton of the Home Office, is
due to report during April 2000.
3.2 The project was tasked with:
— Identifying the management information
needs of the CJS for the foreseeable future;
— Arriving at common data definitions;
and
— Mapping the transition from the current
mix of manual and IT collection systems to fully automated data
collection through the Integrated Business and Information System.
3.3 The project will deliver, for the first
time, the coherent processing of information across the whole
CJS on a common basis.
4. REVIEW OF
CPS PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
AND CASE
OUTCOMES DATA
4.1 At the same time, CPS is conducting
an in-house review of its own management information, prompted
by changes in core business (Narey, Glidewell) and by the government
drive towards outcome-based measures for the CJS as a whole.
4.2 The review falls into two phases:
— A survey of the accuracy of current
data collection, led by the CPS Inspectorate, including examination
of the reasons for any inaccuracies and recommendations for remedial
action;
— development of an amended information
requirement to reflect:
— changes in the workflow and structure
of the CPS;
— the future management information needs
of the CPS within the CJS environment; and
— the integration of case-based management
information with other key management information systems.
Some initial changes were introduced with effect
from April 2000.
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