Let's get it right: race and justice 2000 - Nacro
Let's get it right: race and justice 2000 - Nacro
Let's get it right: race and justice 2000 - Nacro
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structures for youth <strong>justice</strong> are crucial areas in which AreaComm<strong>it</strong>tees can play a strong coordinating role. Similarly,the Council <strong>and</strong> ACJLCs can give a lead on implementingthe Human Rights Act at local level.Race issues must become embedded in the routineagendas of Area Comm<strong>it</strong>tees, so that the implications areconsidered, whatever the topic under discussion. Thediscussions at senior levels on ACJLCs must be turnedinto action at local <strong>and</strong> police divisional areas.Area Comm<strong>it</strong>tees are not well known in theircommun<strong>it</strong>ies. They need to adopt a higher profile, <strong>and</strong>take a lead in providing information about the localcriminal <strong>justice</strong> system, how <strong>it</strong> works, how to complain,how <strong>it</strong> is accountable to the commun<strong>it</strong>y. The WestMidl<strong>and</strong>s ACJLC, for example, has published a statementof comm<strong>it</strong>ments to <strong>race</strong> equal<strong>it</strong>y from each agency. OtherACJLCs are to publish reports based on the NACROaud<strong>it</strong>s of their work on <strong>race</strong> issues.At present, Area Comm<strong>it</strong>tees have no access to resources oftheir own. This needs to be resolved, e<strong>it</strong>her by memberagencies pooling funds or seconding staff, or by setting abud<strong>get</strong> at national level. Some resources are needed so thatACJLCs can undertake pieces of work such as inter-agencytraining, user surveys, or local research or a public event.Race Relations ForumIn May 1998, the Home Secretary announced a new 28member Race Relations Forum to give people fromminor<strong>it</strong>y commun<strong>it</strong>ies a new channel of communication togovernment. It is chaired by the Home Secretary, JackStraw, who said:‘In this country we enjoy many benef<strong>it</strong>s that lifein a multi-cultural society has brought. Much hasbeen achieved. But society is constantlydeveloping <strong>and</strong> <strong>it</strong> is v<strong>it</strong>al that we respond tochanges.’Ensuring a fair <strong>and</strong> non-discriminatory system of <strong>justice</strong>will, <strong>it</strong> is hoped, be a prior<strong>it</strong>y for the Forum.Aims <strong>and</strong> objectives ofthe criminal <strong>justice</strong> systemIn December 1998, the Home Secretary, the LordChancellor <strong>and</strong> the Attorney General issued a publicstatement setting out for the first time joint aims <strong>and</strong>objectives for the criminal <strong>justice</strong> system. These include astrong comm<strong>it</strong>ment to fairness <strong>and</strong> <strong>justice</strong>; one of the twooverarching aims is:‘… to dispense <strong>justice</strong> fairly <strong>and</strong> efficiently <strong>and</strong> topromote confidence in the rule of law’. (‘StrategicPlan for the Criminal Justice System’)Eight objectives support these aims, three of which areparticularly relevant to this report:nnnto meet the needs of victims, w<strong>it</strong>nesses <strong>and</strong> jurorsw<strong>it</strong>hin the system;to respect the <strong>right</strong>s of defendants <strong>and</strong> to treat themfairly; <strong>and</strong>to promote confidence in the criminal <strong>justice</strong> system.To<strong>get</strong>her w<strong>it</strong>h the Human Rights Act, this provides astrong conceptual basis for a fresh approach to achievethe Home Secretary’s aim:‘Fairness of treatment must be <strong>right</strong> at the heart ofany criminal <strong>justice</strong> system.’ACTION POINTSnnnnCriminal Justice Consultative Council must give a new lead to Area Criminal Justice LiaisonComm<strong>it</strong>tees on work on <strong>race</strong>.Crime <strong>and</strong> Disorder Act, Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report <strong>and</strong> Human Rights Act must setagenda for Area Comm<strong>it</strong>tees.Area Comm<strong>it</strong>tees must raise their profiles in local commun<strong>it</strong>ies <strong>and</strong> ensure channels ofcommunication are open.Home Office <strong>and</strong> Lord Chancellor’s Department must provide more resources to enable ACJLCSto be more proactive at local level.12