Corporate report

[Withdrawn] Ministry of Justice single departmental plan - May 2018

Updated 27 June 2019

This corporate report was withdrawn on 15 July 2021

It has been replaced by the Ministry of Justice Outcome Delivery Plan: 2021-22

This publication was withdrawn on 13 June 2019

It has been replaced by a new version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.

Secretary of State for Justice

The Rt Hon David Gauke MP

Permanent Secretary

Richard Heaton

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:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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:

1. Provide a prison and probation service that reforms offenders

2. Deliver a modern courts and justice system

3. Promote a global Britain and the rule of law

4. 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:

1. Inclusive Workplace: A workplace that is inclusive and flexible, and where everyone is treated fairly and with respect.

2. Diverse Workforce: A workforce that is reflective of our diverse society at all grades.

3. 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:

1. Purpose: Justice matters. We are proud to make a difference for the public we serve.

2. 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.

3. Openness: We innovate, share, and learn. We are courageous and curious, relentlessly pursuing ideas to improve the services we deliver.

4. 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