How effective use of data could support a seamless customer experience across the Criminal Justice landscape
Imagine a world where you are facing many challenges and making poor choices. One of them leads to you entering the Criminal Justice system. It’s your first time. You are angry and afraid. The Officers arresting you are professional and firm as they take you into custody.
You are at the start of the process and you have very little control of it as a defendant. Your life is in the hands of strangers and the first decision maker is the custody officer who treats you with kindness and respect but does not know you. You are asked about yourself, your circumstances, and you realise that they actually do know things about you and tailor their interactions and questions accordingly. This gives you confidence, so you share more with them, and as a result you undergo an assessment for your mental health and other health challenges. This is the first time anyone has ever asked you about your health and wellbeing and additionally supports you in getting the help you need – you feel cared for, and more willing to cooperate. It’s tough to share such personal information with strangers and you’re relieved that you only need to share it once and, with your consent, every other part of the system whether supportive or judging has this relevant information to be fair and caring.
Your court case is swift and smooth, you feel well informed and treated with respect throughout. You receive a short prison sentence, despite your mitigation, but you understand why and due to the transparency of the process feel this is fair. By the time you arrive at the prison, you are met by Officers who already know a lot about you and a scary moment becomes less so. You are not made to repeat information as they understand your needs and how to support you effectively. You are automatically enrolled in health and education programmes based on your personal needs.
When you leave prison, you are supported in restarting your life, equipped with skills and given access to support to integrate back into society. Utilising user-friendly technology, you are sent reminders of check ins which can be done remotely, and connected to agencies, people and groups to help you make better choices at times of risk.
This may feel far from reality for you as the reader, but this is the experience I would want for anyone that I knew facing this situation. The golden thread through this is ‘Connected Justice’ and surely this must be the ambition of any Justice system. One which is enabled by technology that puts participants and their needs at the centre of a transparent process. A seamless user experience from start to finish and beyond. It is achievable.
What do we need to do to make this a reality? There are two critical elements - culture, and data sharing.
There needs to be a culture of confidence and trust between agencies that supports transparent data sharing. A culture which is supportive and focused on fairness, integrity, and care, where the individual is at the heart of the process. Where staff from end to end across the agencies have the tools and time, to provide a service to each individual and Justice as a whole. Anyadditional staffing costs should be offset by using technology to increase efficiency and remove duplication.
The vision, at a minimum, must be to develop a connected data sharing service across all agencies who have a role in Criminal Justice. With time and care it could be widened to include Health, Education, local authorities, and charities. This wider ecosystem of connected insight could put the emphasis firmly on tackling recidivism and reducing crime rates.
The agencies are, I believe, ready to make that a reality and technology providers have the tools to support them in this journey. Now is the time to work together to make it happen.
Georgie Morgan
Georgie Morgan
Georgie joined techUK as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager in March 2020, then becoming Head of Programme in January 2022.
Georgie leads techUK's engagement and activity across our blue light and criminal justice services, engaging with industry and stakeholders to unlock innovation, problem solve, future gaze and highlight the vital role technology plays in the delivery of critical public safety and justice services. The JES programme represents suppliers by creating a voice for those who are selling or looking to break into and navigate the blue light and criminal justice markets.
Prior to joining techUK, Georgie spent 4 and a half years managing a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) in Westminster. She worked closely with the Metropolitan Police and London borough councils to prevent and reduce the impact of crime on the business community. Her work ranged from the impact of low-level street crime and anti-social behaviour on the borough, to critical incidents and violent crime.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgie-henley/
Cinzia Miatto
Cinzia Miatto
Cinzia joined techUK in August 2023 as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager.
The JES programme represents suppliers, championing their interests in the blue light and criminal justice markets, whether they are established entities or newcomers seeking to establish their presence.
Prior to joining techUK, Cinzia worked in the third and public sectors, managing projects related to international trade and social inclusion.
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- [email protected]
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella Gago-Brookes
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.
Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022. Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.
In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.
- Email:
- [email protected]