29 March 2007
Tony Blair has unveiled a number of changes to the way the criminal justice system is run.
In a written ministerial statement, he reveals that a new Ministry of Justice will be established.
It will help to bring together management of the criminal justice system, meaning that once a suspect has been charged their journey through the courts, and if necessary prison and probation, can be managed seamlessly.
The National Offender Management Service, including the Prison and Probation Services, will move from the Home Office to the Department for Constitutional Affairs on 9 May, to form the new Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Home Office will retain its other existing responsibilities, for policing, anti-social behaviour, overall crime reduction, in addition to its responsibilities for security and counter terrorism.
There will be a strengthening of the role of the Home Secretary and the capabilities of his Department in facing the terrorist threat.
A new committee on security and terrorism is to be set up, and an Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism will be established within the Home Office.
The PM said:
"Our counter-terrorism capabilities are among the best in the world. However, the continuing and growing threat from terrorism means that the Government must develop and improve its counter-terrorism and security capabilities, and its governance."
Plans to target offenders and extend reform to the criminal justice system were among a raft of measures unveiled by the PM in the second policy review paper this week.
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