Hundreds see how justice works

On Saturday 16 October Warwickshire Criminal Justice Board gave people the opportunity to find out about the work of the justice agencies in the county as part of the Home Office’s Inside Justice campaign.

Hundreds of people visited Leamington Town Hall and Magistrates’ Court to take part in workshops and witness a mock application for bail. At Warwick Crown Court more than 1,200 adults and children came to see mock trials, visit the cells, have their fingerprints taken and see the old court dungeon.

Inside Justice involved all of the agencies – police, crown prosecution service, courts, probation service, youth offending service, and prison service – in a drive to increase public awareness of the Criminal Justice System and the way that it effectively brings offenders to justice in Warwickshire.

Commenting on the success of the event Liz Stafford, Chair of Warwickshire’s Criminal Justice Board, said: “We are delighted that so many people came along to the events for Inside Justice. Particularly popular were the mock trials which gave people a rare insight into the workings of a court. We hope that we have provided people with a useful introduction to the justice system and the many ways that it is working to protect the people of Warwickshire.”

The Home Office plans to make Inside Justice an annual event giving more people the opportunity to understand and access the justice system in their area.