Are you OK with cookies?

We use small files called ‘cookies’ on cjji.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk. Some are essential to make the site work, some help us to understand how we can improve your experience, and some are set by third parties. You can choose to turn off the non-essential cookies. Which cookies are you happy for us to use?

Skip to content

Impact of the pandemic on the criminal justice system

Published:
Inspection type:
Joint inspection
Lead inspectorate:
HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
Publication date:
2021
Theme:
Criminal Justice Joint Inspection
Open document

This report provides a cross-system view of how the criminal justice system reacted in the immediate aftermath of the first national Covid-19 lockdown (23 March to 10 May 2020), and of how the system has managed since.

This report provides a cross-system view of how the criminal justice system reacted in the immediate aftermath of the first national Covid-19 lockdown (23 March to 10 May 2020), and of how the system has managed since.

The cumulative impact on the system of the sweeping changes wrought by Covid-19 necessity is both clear and profound – and has still to be fully felt.

All four criminal justice inspectorates have carried out inspections of their respective agencies’ responses to Covid-19. This report sets out findings from these inspections as well as cross-cutting themes, and highlights the successes, challenges and problems that the system has faced and still faces.

The report highlights risks and innovative practice, and focuses in detail on the greatest risk facing the criminal justice system as it continues to respond to and recover from the pandemic.