CJS launches performance management system

A new secure web-based performance management system has been launched to support the Criminal Justice System (CJS) in delivering an improved service in England and Wales.

CJ Know-How brings together information from sources such as the police, prosecutor and court databases. The web-based application allows users to measure performance in a range of ways, for instance, how well victims of crime are informed about their cases and how long a case takes to reach court.

The application allows staff to run virtual business models to see how changing the way criminal justice agencies handle cases can improve the system locally. It also enables staff to share their experiences and best practice with other areas.

In Cumbria, for example, it has been used to identify the use of conditional cautions to provide victims and offenders with a faster and more effective outcome. These cautions are given to offenders on admission of the offence instead of charging and prosecuting them.

In Cumbria these cautions have freed up courts to deal with more serious cases and saved local criminal justice agencies almost £100,000 per year.

Home Office Minister for Crime Reduction, Vernon Coaker, said: “A professional performance system may seem a world away from a local police officer on the street. But that officer is part of an integrated criminal justice system and CJ Know-How will greatly support that officer to work seamlessly with thousands of colleagues.”