National Justice Awards Finalists Announced
24 Oct 2006
The awards show how innovative approaches across the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and the determination to see them through is producing positive benefits for people who come into contact with the CJS.
The finalists for outstanding work across the CJS in 2006 include:
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The Bravo Bear scheme in Dorset which has given teddy bears to over 400 children who have been victims or witnesses in road accidents. The bears comfort the children and encourage them to be brave in often traumatic circumstances.
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A Young Offender Institution which offers a fire-fighting course with Cheshire Fire Service, giving offenders new skills, discipline and a sense of responsibility. This all discourages re-offending, as does the course's 'Pass Out Parade' which gives them and their families a positive feeling of pride they may not have felt for a long time.
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A police-led project in Grimsby which identified that just 15 youths were responsible for a large proportion of the crime causing misery on a housing estate. Use of Acceptable Behaviour Orders and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, backed up with the threat of prosecution, has reduced arson attacks by half.
The finalists will attend next month's prestigious Justice Awards 2006 ceremony in London, hosted by BBC Crimewatch's Fiona Bruce. The winners will receive their awards from Baroness Scotland, the minister for Criminal Justice and Offender Management.
Baroness Scotland said:
"I have been moved and impressed by the dedication that staff and volunteers nominated for these awards have shown towards people who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.
"The awards show that agencies and individuals across the country have gone that extra mile to protect communities from crime, deal compassionately with victims and witnesses, and address offenders' behaviour to try and prevent re-offending.
"These awards prove not only that people within the Criminal Justice System are working hard and achieving measurable results, but all parts of our community have a role to play in our alliance to create a fair and effective system we all want to see."
The 42 finalists for the 14 award categories were narrowed down from almost 650 nominations of outstanding work across the Criminal Justice System (CJS) in 2006. They include Victim Support volunteers, prison workers, police, Crown Prosecutors, court staff and probation staff.
The most outstanding nominations will be recognised at the Justice Awards 2006 awards ceremony at 11am on Thursday 23 November 2006 in London.
The awards are one of the highlights of Inside Justice Week 2006 (18-25 November 2006) which is a campaign to showcase how agencies across the CJS are working together to deliver an improved CJS. Inside Justice Week aims to engage the public and people working within the CJS in the work that CJS agencies do. Agencies around the country are holding events and open days which are open to the public and media alike.
For a full list of finalists please visit the Justice Awards website using the link on the right.