The latest news about criminal justice issues from around the UK, drawn from media websites, government sources and criminal justice organisations. Some of these sources require registration, or do not archive their articles beyond seven days. Sorry about that.

This weblog is supported by Rethinking Crime and Punishment and produced in association with the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies. It is maintained and updated by A set of FAQs about the site is available here. View the news under the following categories: Police and Crime Prevention Courts & Sentencing Prisons International Probation & Community Sentences Young Offenders Statistics and Reports Go here for news of forthcoming events

Wednesday, June 30, 2004 Juries letting rapists off the hook 'despite clear evidence' Juries are acquitting alleged rapists despite "clear forensic evidence" against them, the Solicitor General, will say today. Harriet Harman will tell a rape conference in London that she shares the "incredulity" of prosecutors that apparently strong cases against suspected sex attackers fail. Independent icNetwork: New rape guideline for prosecutors 8:22:19 AM    comment [] Tough sentences The need to safeguard the independence of public service watchdogs has, by necessity, exercised Anne Owers ever since she was appointed to the job of chief inspector of prisons two and half years ago. Both of her high-profile predecessors, Sir Stephen Tumim and Sir David Ramsbotham, found themselves in open clashes with the home secretary of the day. For Owers, halfway through her five-year term, it has proved a less turbulent time - if only because the current home secretary, David Blunkett, has not tried to stop her doing her job. Guardian 8:21:40 AM    comment [] My son can't walk home without fear After the death of Kieran Rodney-Davies, Clare Paterson, whose son has been mugged at least a dozen times, asks: how can we protect our kids? Guardian 8:21:08 AM    comment [] Police launch crime stats website Police have launched a website to show the level of crime in Leicestershire and Rutland. Using a mixture of graphs and tables, people can check crime levels in their area and compare them with last year. BBC 8:20:29 AM    comment [] Bats given their caped crusader North Wales police are to crack down on "bat crimes" - those who disturb the mammals or their roosts. Operation Bat follows pressure from conservationists worried by falling numbers. Guardian Police act to protect bat roosts 8:19:52 AM    comment [] © Copyright 2004 Nick Page.

Updated: 30/9/04; 2:11:48 pm.  Suffering in silence Residents list top crime concerns Watchdog gives Reliance verdict Blair pledges extra £219m for drug treatment Blunkett makes crime poll issue Home Office orders a £1m hard sell on 'soft' commu... Post offices take on police role Tough laws to tackle 'hate crime' An innocent objection to reduced sentences Prejudice goes up in flames Report praises Birmingham Prison Homophobic crime reports increase Firms urged to employ ex-inmates Lib Dems would end child trials Blunkett backtracks on detention without trial Police spending just over half their time on front... June 2004 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30       May   Jul Search WWW Search Weblog Home Rethinking Crime and Punishment What you really need to know about criminal justice What Can I Do? How you can get involved in the criminal justice system CJScotland A log and information exchange about criminal justice issues in Scotland. Government Departments and Criminal Justice Agencies Department of Constitutional Affairs Criminal Justice Service HM Inspectorate of Prisons National Probation Service HM Prison Service Home Office Youth Justice Board Scottish Prison Service Independent Organisations and Sites < The Magistrates Association NACRO Prison Reform Trust Restorative Justice Consortium Rethinking Crime and Punishment The Guardian: Crime and punishment: the issue explained Prisoners' Education Trust International Centre for Prison Studies The Prisons Handbook Prison Film Project Prison Privitisation Report International