Independent report

Former members of the armed forces and the criminal justice system

Stephen Phillips' review of veterans within the criminal justice system.

• From: Ministry of Justice, The Rt Hon Chris Grayling and The Rt Hon Sir Mike Penning
• Published: 21 December 2014
• Last updated: 17 December 2015 — See all updates

Documents

Former members of the armed forces and the criminal justice system: a review on behalf of the Secretary of State for Justice

PDF, 475 KB, 47 pages

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Ex-armed forces in the criminal justice system: the government response

PDF, 53.2 KB, 9 pages

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Cyn-aelodau’r lluoedd arfog a’r system cyfiawnder troseddol: adolygiad ar ran yr ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Gyfiawnder

PDF, 53.9 KB, 6 pages

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Update on progress in addressing the needs of ex-armed services personnel in the criminal justice system

PDF, 413 KB, 9 pages

Details

We’ve published a report conducted by Stephen Phillips QC MP on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, “Former members of the armed forces and the criminal justice system”, alongside the government’s response.

This review was announced in Parliament in January 2014. The aim of the review was to identify properly the reasons for ex-service personnel ending up in the justice system, to look at the support provided to them and how that support could be improved. The review found that life in the armed forces is generally a positive experience for the individuals concerned and a protective factor, meaning that veterans are less likely than the general population to commit criminal offences. It recommended 15 actions that could help the small minority of the ex-armed forces that go on to commit offences.

The government response outlined, in regards to the report’s recommendations, what is being done to support ex-armed forces offenders. This included identification and tracking of ex-armed forces offenders, data gathering and sharing. It also highlights the benefits for ex-armed forces offenders of government programmes such as ‘Liaison and diversion’ and ‘Transforming rehabilitation’, that will assess and address the needs of the ex-armed forces.

We’ve simultaneously published 2 analytical reports looking at the needs of ex-service personnel in the criminal justice system.

An update on the progress made in addressing the rehabilitation needs of ex-service personnel in the criminal justice system, as agreed by the Ministry of Justice in the government’s response in 2014 is also published.

Published 21 December 2014
Last updated 17 December 2015 + show all updates

1. 17 December 2015

   Government response published.

2. 21 December 2014

   First published.