Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board
The Local Criminal Justice Board for Wiltshire (WCJB) brings together agencies with responsibility for delivering criminal justice services across our area.
The criminal justice landscape is complex and no single agency is responsible for the system as a whole. It is vital that criminal justice agencies are unified in their ambition and work together, to improve outcomes both for victims of crime and people who offend and deliver justice in the most efficient and effective way possible.
By working together, agencies in Wiltshire can provide services which are more efficient and effective than they would be if those agencies acted alone. Central to this is recognising that criminal justice works as a system each part supported by the other. Success is collective success and improvements are a collective endeavour.
Vision, Purpose and Priorities
"Our vision is that our communities have confidence in their local criminal justice system which delivers a fair, timely and high quality service for all."
"Our purpose as a Board is to deliver improvements in service to achieve our vision by working collaboratively, challenging each other, and co-ordinating a whole-system approach."
Priorities 2021 - 2024
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Ensuring victims of crime are fully supported through the Criminal Justice System with quality services that effectively meet their needs
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Provide an effective, efficient and high-quality Criminal Justice System in Wiltshire
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Ensuring services are available at the right time to support reductions in reoffending and keep our communities safe
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Provide a fair and transparent Criminal Justice System that promotes confidence
In progressing its work, the Board works with other agencies, organisations and partnerships including:
- The Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon (Chair)
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service
- Wessex Crown Prosecution Service
- Wiltshire Police
- HM Prison and Probation Service - HMP Erlestoke Governor
- Probation Service
- Wiltshire Youth Offending Team and Swindon Youth Offending Team
- Wiltshire Council - Community Safety Partnership
- Swindon Borough Council - Community Safety Partnership
- Legal Aid Agency
- Public Health England
- Liaison Judge
- Representative from Defence
How does the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board Work?
The WCJB brings agencies together to discuss work that affects two or more of its members. Board meetings are bi-monthly with telephone meetings held during the month in between.
As well as the WCJB itself, which is a strategic meeting, there are sub-groups made up of people working in the local criminal justice agencies. These groups identify problems and propose solutions to the board.
The WCJB governance structure is shown in the following diagram: