Press release
Press Release 102/2003 – Support package for the development of Community Justice Centres agreed
2 April 2003
The Home Secretary David Blunkett and the Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine today announced plans to support the development of pioneering US-style community courts in Britain.
The New York-based Center for Court Innovation will help to develop plans for pilot community justice centres in England and Wales. These will ultimately aim to shift the focus of the criminal justice system to engaging more in crime prevention and problem-solving in the community in addition to bringing perpetrators to justice.
The announcement was made as Mr Blunkett visited the Red Hook community court, one of two award-winning courts created by the Center for Court Innovation. Both courts involve community service projects specifically designed to pay back the community harmed by
crime, outside agencies to address the underlying problems of defendants and court-based mediation to deal with minor disputes.
This has led to major reductions in street crime and anti-social behaviour, and has increased public confidence in the criminal justice system.
Mr Blunkett said:
"Community justice centres will aim to build on the Government's radical programme of reform of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. By bringing together the relevant agencies, by adopting a more cohesive approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and by making courts more responsive to the communities they serve, we aim to reduce crime and the fear of crime and increase clear-up rates and public confidence in the criminal justice system.
"I welcome the enthusiasm and support we have already received from the Center for Court Innovation and look forward to drawing on the expertise and knowledge this unique organisation has gained to help people in some of our most deprived communities in the UK."
The Lord Chancellor said:
"I am especially pleased that the Center for Court Innovation are to help us. I know how much investment they made in the Red Hook community to secure the involvement of local people, and to me, the vital element of successful community justice has to be the
community.
"The centres usually offer comprehensive on-site facilities, including courts to handle cases involving minor offences or anti-social behaviour, enable early intervention and ensure that offenders have quick and easy access to the help they need. Close involvement of the community is essential and means that court penalties can be geared towards supporting local crime priorities such as keeping communal living spaces clean and free of litter and
graffiti. I look forward to seeing how we might build on the success of Red Hook in the UK."
The intention is that community justice centres, announced in the recent White Paper 'Respect and Responsibility - taking a stand against anti-social behaviour', will eventually form a central part of the Government's drive to engage local communities in the criminal justice system. In turn they would also support the criminal justice system in changing the behaviour of offenders and promoting safer and stronger communities.
Community justice centres would act as a focus point for communities. They would play a crucial role in the Government's work to put victims first, encourage witnesses to come forward, reduce disorder and anti-social behaviour, engage and support young people, and help close local justice gaps - the gap between recorded crime and conviction rates. Their development would combine punishment and help, addressing the root causes of crime by providing services such as drug treatment, family and parenting support and educational and
training providers.
Key staff from the Center for Court Innovation will participate in this project, including their director, Greg Berman, and director of operations, Adam Mansky.
Greg Berman, director of the Center for Court Innovation said:
"We are thrilled to be working with the British Government on this project and we are confident that this joint work will bring benefits to us as well as the UK. We have already seen the huge difference such projects can make on the lives of people in communities like Red Hook and Midtown in New York, and we look forward to playing a part in bringing these benefits to communities in Britain."
Notes to Editors:
1. The development of pilot community justice centres was outlined in the recent White Paper 'Respect and Responsibility - taking a stand against anti-social behaviour', which is available on the Home Office website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/new.htm
2. The Center for Court Innovation is a public-private partnership dedicated to improving the performance of courts and criminal justice agencies.
3. Greg Berman, Director of the Center for Court Innovation: Part of the founding team responsible for creating the Center for Court Innovation, Greg Berman was named its director in 2002. Prior to that, he served as deputy director. He is currently writing a book about problem-solving justice and has contributed articles to Law and Policy, Judicature, Fordham Urban Law Review and other publications. Prior to joining the Center, Mr. Berman created the New York Common Application, a universal form designed to expedite the foundation grant proposal process for community groups. Mr. Berman is a graduate of Wesleyan University and a former Coro Fellow in Public Affairs.
Adam Mansky, Director of Operations of the Center for Court Innovation: Adam Mansky became the Center for Court Innovation's director of operations in February 2002. He supervises the Center's three community courts and is responsible for its technology and
research departments. From 1997 until early 2002, Mr. Mansky was the Red Hook Community Justice Center's project director, co-ordinating all aspects of its planning, development, implementation and operations. Prior to joining the Center for Court Innovation, Mr.
Mansky practiced corporate law at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and securities litigation at Weil, Gotshal & Manges. He received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a J.D., cum laude, from the New York University School of Law.