/AC1.2 organisations of the CJS

what are the organisations of the CPS

• Police

• The CPS

• The courts

• The prison service

• The probation service

& voluntary organisations

what is the role of the police

to enforce the law, the first respondents to a crime scene, secure the scene/gather evidence/arrest suspects if necessary

police investigators interview witnesses & suspects, gather forensic evidence

what is the role of the CPS

asses evidence to decide whether to prosecute (using the full code test) & prepare / presents the prosecutions case in court

what is the role of the courts

to give contributions by the judiciary, to law creation through judicial precedent and statutory interpretation of laws.

what is the role of the prison service

carries out the sentences given to the offender by the court & supervise offenders in custody, including those on remand

what is the role of the probation service

supervise offenders on licence & enforce conditions placed on it

what relationship do the police & CPS have

police respond to crime, gather evidence, interview witnesses & arrest suspects, once they have enough evidence they will prepare a case file & send it to the CPS for a charging decision

CPS will build a case against a suspect & prepare it to be taken to court, ensuring all evidence collected is legally correct

CPS will advise police on how to charge suspects

what relationship do the police & the courts have

police will:

hold defendants in cells & transport them to and from court

provide protection for vulnerable witnesses or security at court buildings, especially in cases involving violent criminals

may provide statements & evidence in court

for the courts

what relationship do the police & the prison / probation service have

police collect / arrest individuals in breach of their probation terms & take them to prison - ensure safe transfer for high-risk offenders

what relationship do the police & voluntary organisations (example) have

Victim Support - police refer victims to these services after a crime has been reported - provides support & practical assistance to victims

what relationship do the CPS & the courts have

the CPS will:

put together a bundle that contains everything a judge needs to see for the pending trial, e.g. medical reports

prepare & present cases in court

submit cases to the appropriate court based on severity

provide anything the judge requests, where possible

what relationship do the courts & prison service have

prison service will update the courts on behaviour & officers will transport prisoners to & from court

what relationship do the courts & probation service have

update the court with any breaches of licences/ill behaviour & prepare reports

what relationship do the courts & voluntary organisations (example) have

NARCO - work with the court to support offenders by providing rehabilitation programmes & life skills training

the courts might include conditions in sentences such as attending rehabilitation programmes that involve collaboration with these organisations

what relationship do the prison service & probation service have

prison service prepares offenders for release by providing rehabilitation programmes

probation service will begin to take over the offenders supervision near the end of their sentence, ensuring a smooth transition from prison to wider society - develop release plans & supervise offenders on licence, monitoring their reintegration

what relationship do the prison service & voluntary organisations have

often deliver rehabilitation programmes in prisons, focusing on skills development, education, & personal growth

what relationship do the probation service & voluntary organisations have

offer mentoring services to offenders to help guide their personal development & encourage positive behaviour

probation officers will refer offenders to these organisations