Author: xaurav

Out-of-court sanctions include reprimands, cautions and fixed penalty fines

Watchdogs have criticised the “piecemeal and largely uncontrolled” use of out-of-court punishments.

The chief inspectors of constabulary and prosecution said the powers were sometimes used for persistent and more serious offenders.

The report calls for a strategy on the use of penalties across England and Wales to protect public confidence.

Almost half a million crimes were dealt with through cautions or other out-of-court powers in 2010.

Out-of-court sanctions also include reprimands, fixed penalty fines and restorative justice projects. The powers were expanded to help police clear up more crimes while at the same time avoid clogging up courts with minor offences.

But the report says while they are now important criminal justice tools, they are being used inconsistently.

The inspectors said they found wide variations in their use across police force areas, with some offenders given repeated cautions when they should be in court.

The watchdogs sampled 240 cases, 190 of which were dealt with out-of-court, and found about a third of the decisions had been wrong, largely because they involved repeat offenders who should have been in court.

In one case, inspectors said a “prolific” shoplifter who had also assaulted a police officer had never been to court, despite four years of offending.

“The substantial growth in the use of out-of-court disposals has created some disquiet among criminal justice professionals over inconsistencies in their use, in particular for persistent and more serious offending,” said the inspectors.

“In view of the growth and wide variations in practice, and the consequences for offenders and victims as well as for public confidence in the criminal justice system, we believe the time has come to formulate a national strategy to improve consistency in the use of out-of-court disposals across England and Wales, and we have made this our primary recommendation.

“There is nothing more likely to diminish public confidence in the criminal justice system in its widest sense than a sense of unfairness.”

The report’s criticisms come amid doubt over Justice Secretary Ken Clarke’s proposals to reform sentencing and rehabilitation.

On Wednesday it emerged that a controversial proposal to offer offenders a 50% sentence cut for early guilty pleas is likely to be scrapped or significantly curtailed.

Mr Clarke’s remaining sentencing proposals include a plan to expand restorative justice and community penalties. Both elements are a key part of his strategy to reduce criminal justice costs.

A government spokesman said: “Criminals must be punished appropriately and the police and prosecutors must have the right powers available to stop crime in communities.

“Out-of-court disposals are an important way of ensuring there are swift consequences for offenders, but it is crucial such powers are used in the right way.

“That means consistently and not against serious criminals who should face tougher sanctions.”

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

The EIS union is worried about low pay being an added burden on new teachers

Union bosses are urging Scotland’s largest education authority to clarify its call for all probationer teachers to be put on half pay.

The Glasgow Council plan would see staff classed as probationers for two years instead of one and be on £10,700 for two consecutive years.

The Education Institute of Scotland said the country-wide plan was a worry.

It has been submitted to the Scottish government’s inquiry into the profession’s pay and conditions.

The EIS, which begins its annual conference later, said that if the suggestion was adopted, low pay would be an added burden for new teachers who may have student debts and significant problems finding work.

The union’s Hugh Donnelly said: “Any proposal that suggests teachers’ wages should be halved in their first two years would obviously be of great concern.

“New emerging teachers face a whole number of problems trying to secure full-time jobs and enter the profession already burdened with debt.

“This would be an added burden for them.”

The council’s submission, which has been seen by BBC Scotland, said: “The one year probationer experiences needs to be reviewed in the light of Donaldson [teacher education reforms].

“Consideration should be given to making this a two year experience for all post-graduates, paid at 0.5 full time salary.”

A spokeswoman for the council said what was implied was that teachers should receive half of their probationer salary while in their last year at teacher training institutions.

At the last count, there were almost 3,000 probationer teachers in Scotland. The probationer period currently lasts a year with a salary of £21,400. The following year it rises to £25,700.

The Scottish Government has commissioned Professor Gerry McCormac of Stirling University to review teachers’ pay and conditions.

It is now more than a decade since staff saw changes under the landmark McCrone deal.

The deadline for submissions to the McCormac review was Easter and a report is expected in September.

If the Glasgow Council proposal is adopted by the review, then it would apply to all probationer teachers in Scotland.

The Scottish government will then decide which recommendations it wishes to adopt.

Last month the BBC obtained a copy of a confidential submission from Cosla, the umbrella body for local authorities.

It proposed shortening teachers’ holidays, lifting the cap on their hours and requiring them to undertake further training.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.