Justice in meltdown

Abstract

The justice system is facing unprecedented reforms characterised by severe cuts and privatisation. These have been top-down with virtually no engagement with the workforce, nor with those who have experience of the system. The Ministry of Justice is facing £4 billion of cuts over this parliament, equivalent to a 23 per cent reduction in its budget in real terms (Ministry of Justice, 2012). In addition, unions estimate that up to 50,000 jobs could be lost across prisons, probation, policing and courts. We have serious concerns about these cuts combined with the marketisation process.