Mission

to contribute to the Effectiveness of Criminal Justice Systems globally

Effectiveness would be realised as:

  • Fair and proportionate sentences

  • Access to equal justice for all

  • Humane treatment and conditions

  • Focus on rehabilitation

to engage more people in the conversation about reform

Engagement represented through:

  • Blogs and videos

  • Talks, workshops and seminars

  • Specific reform projects

These combined will help to bring about sustainable positive change as displayed below in my Theory of Change.

Theory of Change

Justice Focus Theory of Change for sustainable long-term, public-backed justice reform

Justice Focus Theory of Change for sustainable long-term, public-backed justice reform

What is Justice?

In many ways, the barrier to achieving positive results through our justice systems is that we do not have a clear idea about what we want from our prison, probation, police and court systems.

People tend not to question the status quo. We assume that the system works. 

The sentences are proportionate - the sentence fits the crime and that if someone is in prison, surely they deserve to be there...

CRIMES ARE COMMITTED

(OR ALLEGED)

PEOPLE GO TO PRISON

JUSTICE IS DONE.

...Right?

However, this is not the case.

  • Huge numbers of people all over the world are held 'pre-trial' or 'on remand' or as an 'undertrial', meaning that have not yet been proven guilty of any crime. There are estimates of close to 3 million people currently on some form of pre-trial detention[1]. And in many cases, these prisoners live in more overcrowded and unsanitary conditions than those how have been convicted.

FOCUS ON THE REALITY.

Justice Focus is a space to examine the realities of criminal justice systems across the world - realities that the public may be kept from or wouldn't normally think about.

So much of the justice system is hidden from popular view - in police cells, in closed courtrooms or behind prison walls.

By highlighting the realities, the aim is that a greater number of people will feel informed about criminal justice issues and contribute to positive change.

FOCUS ON THE REFORM.

Justice Focus aims to be part of a long-term progression within international criminal justice reform. There are many positive projects contributing to this testing of ways to reform. The more this reform is highlighted, the more informed the public will be and the greater chance of policy-makers taking evidence-based decisions.

[1] Walmsley, Roy, ICPS, World Pre-trial/Remand Imprisonment List
(second edition)