[Withdrawn] Ministry of Justice single departmental plan - May 2018
Updated 27 June 2019
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This publication was withdrawn on 13 June 2019
It has been replaced by a new version
Our single departmental plan sets out our objectives and how we will achieve them.
The Ministry of Justice and its agencies, in partnership with 27 arm’s length bodies, deliver prison, probation and youth custody services; administer criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals; and support victims, children, families and vulnerable adults.
The Secretary of State’s priorities in 2018/19 are to:
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Get the basics right by providing decent, safe and modern prisons that tackle criminal activity and drug abuse, whilst providing strong incentives for prisoners to reform.
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Ensure a sustainable prison population by exploring options for, and building confidence in, non-custodial sentences and by tackling reoffending though a cross-government approach.
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Promote the rule of law, champion our independent, world-class judiciary, and provide an effective and fair justice system which serves all users, whenever they need it.
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Ensure growth and readiness for leaving the EU by seeking the best possible outcome from EU Exit negotiations and ensuring that English law and courts remain a primary choice for international businesses.
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Maintain a continued tight grip of departmental finances.
These priorities build on the department’s existing strategic objectives which are to provide a prison and probation service that reforms offenders, deliver a modern courts and justice system, promote a global Britain and the rule of law, and transform the department.
This plan sets out how we will deliver these priorities.
Our objectives
We will:
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Provide a prison and probation service that reforms offenders
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Deliver a modern courts and justice system
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Promote a global Britain and the rule of law
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Transform the department
1. Provide a prison and probation service that reforms offenders
Lead ministers
The Rt Hon David Gauke MP, Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor
Rory Stewart OBE MP, Minister of State
Edward Argar MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary
Lead officials
Michael Spurr, Chief Executive, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service
Justin Russell, Director General - Prisons, Offender and Youth Justice Policy
1.1 Get the basics right in prisons
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Provide safe, secure and decent prisons |
| Complete recruitment of 2,500 additional prison officers |
| Roll out the Offender Management in Custody model across public sector prisons, including key worker training for prison officers, to help reduce violence in prisons |
| Improve decency in prisons, including by tackling vandalism and maintaining cleanliness |
| Use a better tailored set of incentives to encourage prisoners to reform |
| Implement action plans to reduce the use of drugs in targeted prisons |
| Build more modern spaces in prisons |
| Prevent and disrupt serious and organised crime in prisons |
| Identify and effectively manage terrorist and terrorist related offenders and fulfil our statutory duty to prevent radicalisation |
| Respond promptly and publicly, within 28 days, to urgent notifications from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons |
| Make youth custody a place of safety for children and those who work there (contributes to SDG 16) |
1.2 Ensure a sustainable prison population
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Provide better support for offenders in the community and build confidence in community sentences |
| Improve outcomes for offenders under probation supervision by improving the quality and consistency of community sentence requirements |
| Make effective use of Release on Temporary Licence, Recall and Home Detention Curfew |
| Build a robust, scalable and flexible electronic monitoring service |
| Act on the findings of the Parole Board review into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole decisions, which relate to transparency of the process, reasons for decisions and engagement of victims in the process |
1.3 Tackle reoffending through a cross-government approach
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Take forward cross-government work to reduce reoffending through a newly formed Ministerial group |
| Help offenders get the skills they need to find a job by implementing our education and employment strategy |
| Help offenders secure suitable accommodation on release from prison by implementing our accommodation strategy |
| Improve healthcare outcomes for offenders in custody and improve pathways of care for those with severe mental health illness (contributes to SDG 3) |
| Establish what further powers and responsibilities could be given to Police and Crime Commissioners as part of justice devolution to help improve criminal justice system outcomes (with Home Office) |
| Meet the specific needs of female, young, black, Asian and minority ethnic offenders and those with other vulnerabilities, including taking forward the government’s response to David Lammy’s report on disproportionality in the criminal justice system (contributes to SDGs 5 and 10) |
Our performance
Assaults on prisoners by prisoners
| 12 months ending | Prisoner-on-prisoner assaults per 1,000 prisoners |
|---|---|
| September 2017 | 238 (provisional data) |
| September 2016 | 218 |
| September 2015 | 168 |
Source: Safety in custody statistics; release schedule: quarterly
Assaults on staff by prisoners
| 12 months ending | Assaults on staff per 1,000 prisoners |
|---|---|
| September 2017 | 91 (provisional data) |
| September 2016 | 75 |
| September 2015 | 54 |
Source: Safety in custody statistics; release schedule: quarterly
Self-inflicted deaths in prison custody
| 12 months ending | Self-inflicted deaths in prison custody |
|---|---|
| December 2017 | 70 (provisional data) |
| December 2016 | 122 |
| December 2015 | 90 |
Source: Safety in custody statistics; release schedule: quarterly
Number of prison officers in post
| 12 months ending | Number of full-time equivalent band 3 to 5 prison officers in post in establishments |
|---|---|
| 31 March 2018 | 21,041 |
| 31 October 2016 | 17,955 |
Source: HMPPS workforce statistics; release schedule: quarterly
Adult reoffending
| 3-monthly cohorts | Proven reoffending rate for adult offenders discharged from prison or commencing a court order |
|---|---|
| April to June 2016 | 37.6% |
| January to March 2016 | 37.4% |
| October to December 2015 | 38.1% |
From October 2015 onwards, reoffending data are collected using different data sources to previous quarters. Therefore, the quarters before October 2015 are not directly comparable to those after.
Source: Proven reoffending statistics / Release schedule: quarterly
Youth reoffending
| 3-monthly cohorts | Proven reoffending rate for juvenile offenders |
|---|---|
| April to June 2016 | 41.6% |
| January to March 2016 | 42.3% |
| October to December 2015 | 41.8% |
From October 2015 onwards, reoffending data are collected using different data sources to previous quarters. Therefore, the quarters before October 2015 are not directly comparable to those after.
Source: Proven reoffending statistics; release schedule: quarterly
Prison population
| Date | Prison population |
|---|---|
| 31 March 2018 | 83,263 |
| 31 December 2017 | 84,373 |
| 30 September 2017 | 85,997 |
| 30 June 2017 | 85,863 |
Source: Prison population statistics; release schedule: quarterly
2. Deliver a modern courts and justice system
Lead ministers
The Rt Hon David Gauke MP, Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor
Lucy Frazer QC MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary
Edward Argar MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary
The Rt Hon Lord Keen of Elie QC, Ministry of Justice Spokesperson in the Lords
Lead officials
Susan Acland-Hood, Chief Executive, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service
Mark Sweeney, Director General, Justice and Courts Policy Group
Mike Driver, Chief Operating Officer
2.1 Provide a fair and effective justice system
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Provide just, accessible and proportionate courts and tribunals services |
| Continue the modernisation of our courts system through our court reform programme |
| Deliver an accessible and effective online court where people will be able to resolve civil claims under £10,000 quickly and easily |
| Extend the single justice procedure to enable greater numbers of high-volume, low-level offences to be dealt with more efficiently |
| Provide easy-to-use digital ways to resolve matters like probate and uncontested divorce entirely online |
| Use fewer, better, more flexible court buildings more effectively for the benefit of citizens |
| Introduce legislation to modernise the courts system |
| Complete a post-implementation review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 |
| Provide simple, timely and reliable access to legal aid (contributes to SDG 16) |
| Deliver the Civil Liability Bill to ensure a fairer, more transparent and proportionate system of compensation for personal injury |
2.2 Improve experience of victims of crime within the criminal justice system
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Publish a strategy to set out the actions we are taking to improve the experience and treatment of victims |
| Develop proposals to tackle domestic violence and abuse (with Home Office, contributes to SDGs 5 and 16) |
| Continue to roll out pre-recorded cross examination for vulnerable victims and witnesses and test the provision for certain intimidated witnesses |
| Consult on proposals to legislate to introduce an Independent Public Advocate who would act on behalf of bereaved families or surviving victims after public disasters or acts of terrorism |
| Ensure that victims and witnesses get effective support services |
| Provide a sensitive, fair and efficient service which compensates victims of violent crime |
2.3 Champion our world-class judiciary
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Make sure judicial recruitment meets the needs of today’s justice system and draws on the best talent from every part of society |
| Undertake, through the Senior Salaries Review Body, a major review of judicial pay |
2.4 Support better outcomes for children, families and vulnerable adults
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Develop system-wide solutions that put children at the heart of the family justice system |
| Develop less adversarial approaches that support better outcomes for children, including working with the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service to explore out of court dispute resolution services |
| Prohibit direct cross-examination in family proceedings in specified circumstances when legislative time allows |
| Register lasting and enduring powers of attorney, supervise court appointed deputies and investigate concerns in relation to both – to empower people to make decisions in advance and to protect those who have lost capacity to make decisions themselves |
Our performance
Work in hand in the Criminal Courts
| Quarter | Magistrates’ Court cases outstanding | Crown Court trial cases outstanding |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Q4 | 296,329 | 30,435 |
| 2017 Q3 | 285,298 | 31,929 |
| 2017 Q2 | 283,586 | 32,741 |
| 2017 Q1 | 288,735 | 33,376 |
Source: Criminal court statistics; release schedule: quarterly
First Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) timeliness
| Year | Mean average age of case at clearance |
|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 46 weeks |
| 2015/16 | 34 weeks |
Source: Tribunals statistics; release schedule: quarterly
Social Security and Child Support timeliness
| Year | Average age of case at clearance |
|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 16 weeks |
| 2015/16 | 18 weeks |
Source: Tribunals statistics; release schedule: quarterly
Employment Tribunal timeliness (single cases)
| Year | Average age of case at clearance |
|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 28 weeks |
| 2015/16 | 29 weeks |
Source: Tribunals statistics; release schedule: quarterly
Family court timeliness
| Quarter | Timeliness of care proceedings in the Family courts of England and Wales – average disposal duration |
|---|---|
| 2017 Q1 | 28 weeks |
| 2016 Q4 | 27 weeks |
| 2016 Q3 | 27 weeks |
| 2016 Q2 | 27 weeks |
Source: Family court statistics; release schedule: quarterly
3. Promote a global Britain and the rule of law
Lead ministers
The Rt Hon David Gauke MP, Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor
Edward Argar MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary
Lucy Frazer QC MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary
The Rt Hon Lord Keen of Elie QC, Ministry of Justice Spokesperson in the Lords
Lead officials
Mark Sweeney, Director General, Justice and Courts Policy Group
3.1 Ensure growth and readiness for leaving the EU
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Ensure English law and courts remain a primary choice for international businesses |
| Promote UK legal services abroad, including through the GREAT campaign |
| Deliver the best outcome from EU exit negotiations – for citizens, families, businesses and the legal profession – and prepare for the UK’s independent trade policy and negotiations |
| Prepare the justice system for EU exit |
| Foster innovation in the justice system, backing the UK to compete globally in taking the lead on cutting edge opportunities |
3.2 Maintain a domestic human rights framework that builds on our longstanding tradition of rights and liberties
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Maintain the UK’s human rights framework and promote the reform of the Council of Europe’s European Court of Human Rights |
| Fulfil our international human rights obligations |
4. Transform the department
Lead ministers
The Rt Hon David Gauke MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Rory Stewart OBE MP, Minister of State
Lead officials
Mike Driver, Chief Financial Officer
Mark Sweeney, Director General, Justice Policy, Strategy and Communications Group
Justin Russell, Director General, Justice Analysis and Offender Policy Group
4.1 Maintain a continued tight grip on departmental finances
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Set the financial strategy for the department for future years |
| Provide strong financial stewardship to ensure that we deliver value for money for the taxpayer |
| Implement a new operating model to better integrate finance functions, enhance professional financial capability and improve the quality of service to the department |
4.2 Ensure a positive and engaged workforce
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Modernise employment terms and conditions of service to create a compelling employee proposition |
| Develop our people so that they have the skills and capability to deliver excellent services |
| Build a more inclusive workplace and a more diverse workforce |
4.3 Drive efficiencies and a better service
| How we will achieve this |
|---|
| Achieve our ambition to be a smarter, simpler and more unified department by modernising and professionalising the services we provide |
| Make our IT services and infrastructure cheaper to run, more reliable and more secure |
| Provide high quality information services, creative design services and insightful communications |
| Provide high quality analytical services to enable data driven policy and operational decision making |
| Enhance the department’s commercial capability |
| Manage the second largest estate in government to keep it compliant, functional and efficient |
| Provide high quality project delivery services to lead and deliver our change agenda |
| Continue to implement functional leadership models across our eight functions, enhancing professional capability and improving the quality of service to the department |
Our performance
Staff engagement
| Year | Ministry of Justice people survey engagement index score |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 56% |
| 2016 | 54% |
| 2015 | 53% |
Source: MOJ people survey results 2017 / MOJ people survey results 2016 / MOJ people survey results 2015; release schedule: annually
Staff diversity
| Year ending | Percentage of senior civil servants who are black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) |
|---|---|
| March 2017 | 8% |
| March 2016 | 5% |
| March 2015 | 6% |
| Year ending | Percentage of senior civil servants who are declared disabled |
|---|---|
| March 2017 | 5% |
| March 2016 | 5% |
| March 2015 | 5% |
Source: MOJ workforce monitoring report; release schedule: annually
Greenhouse gas emissions
| Year | Total emissions - Scope 1, 2 & 3 (non-financial indicators tCO2e) |
|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 405,139 |
| 2015/16 | 459,494 |
| 2014/15 | 482,725 |
Source: Ministry of Justice, Annual Report and Accounts; release schedule: annually
Our equality objectives
We have set objectives to help us advance equality. These are:
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Inclusive Workplace: A workplace that is inclusive and flexible, and where everyone is treated fairly and with respect.
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Diverse Workforce: A workforce that is reflective of our diverse society at all grades.
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Fair and Accessible Services: Fair treatment, fair outcomes and equal access for all our service users.
We have defined the values that embody our work to protect and advance the principles of justice:
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Purpose: Justice matters. We are proud to make a difference for the public we serve.
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Humanity: We treat others as we would like to be treated. We value everyone, supporting and encouraging them to be the best they can be.
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Openness: We innovate, share, and learn. We are courageous and curious, relentlessly pursuing ideas to improve the services we deliver.
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Together: We listen, collaborate and contribute, acting together for our common purpose.
Our finances
Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL): £7.5 billion
Resource DEL (including depreciation): £6.9 billion
Capital DEL: £0.5 billion
Annually Managed Expenditure (AME): £261 million
Control totals included in this document are in line with those presented in the Main Supply Estimates 2018/19 and are currently subject to Parliamentary approval. Any changes arising from the Parliamentary approval process will be reflected in due course.
Source: Main Supply Estimates 2018/19
An additional £17.3m has been allocated to the Ministry of Justice to support preparations for exiting the EU. This was announced alongside the Spring Statement 2018 and will be confirmed through the Supplementary Estimates 2018/19.
Our people
As at 31 December 2017, the Ministry of Justice had 3,440 full-time equivalent employees, not including its agencies.
Source: ONS Public sector employment data; release schedule: quarterly
How we contribute to cross-government priorities
We work across government on cross-cutting issues, including:
- Tackling modern slavery and people trafficking
- Mental health
- Rough sleeping and homelessness reduction
- Immigration
- Race disparity