Collaboration in the Criminal Justice System
The criminal justice system relies on close cooperation between various agencies to ensure effective and fair administration of justice. This page outlines the key relationships between the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), courts, and prison service.
Police and CPS Collaboration
The police work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service during investigations and trials. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Collecting sufficient evidence for the CPS to determine charges
- Providing the CPS with case information for the full code test
- Receiving advice from CPS on appropriate charges
Highlight: The CPS conducts the full code test, assessing both public interest and evidential stages before deciding to charge a suspect.
Police and Prison Service Interaction
The police collaborate with the prison service during the trial process, primarily to:
- Transport offenders between prisons and courts for hearings
- Ensure the safety and security of defendants in custody
Court Service Relationships
The court service maintains strong connections with other agencies:
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With the prison service:
- Coordinating remand decisions and custody arrangements
- Ensuring offenders are informed of court dates and times
- Facilitating safe transportation to and from court
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With the CPS:
- Receiving and reviewing evidence disclosure
- Assessing the admissibility of evidence for trials
Vocabulary: Admissible evidence refers to information or objects that can be legally used in court during a trial.
HMP Prison Service Interactions
The prison service works with multiple agencies:
- Granting CPS access to offenders for case-building purposes
- Allowing police access to prisoners for information on separate cases
- Collaborating with the probation service in later stages of an offender's sentence
Example: The prison service might facilitate a meeting between a prisoner and CPS representatives to gather additional information for an ongoing case.
