Inspection type: Joint inspection

The work carried out by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services over a number of years has shown that there is room to improve the standard of case building by police forces and CPS Areas.

In this report we focus on recruitment and retention in the agencies that we inspect. We draw on evidence from inspection activity conducted by each of our individual inspectorates, both jointly and singly, of those we inspect: the police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the Probation and Youth Offending Services and the Prison Service. We set out the findings from our work, as well as cross cutting themes. We conclude by highlighting signs of progress as well as ongoing risks to the CJS.

Interim findings from phase 1 of a joint inspection by HMCPSI and HMICFRS of case building by the police and Crown Prosecution Service.

This report follows up on the ‘state of the nation’ report, published in January 2021, which outlined how the COVID-19 pandemic had severely disrupted services across the criminal justice system.

A major inspection has found poor support for people with mental health issues as they progress through the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

Inspectors labelled the findings “disappointing” and said too little progress had been made since the last review in 2009.

This is the first of two inspection reports that will consider the response, decision-making and effectiveness of the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) at every stage of a rape case – from first report through to finalisation of the case.

An independent review of neurodiversity in the criminal justice system, commissioned by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.

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.