New dawn for justice in Greater Manchester

The criminal justice devolution deal will see the mayor and Greater Manchester Combined Authority take more control over local offenders and criminal justice agencies, including prisons and probation services.

Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “Justice devolution will strengthen the work Greater Manchester is already doing to deliver effective local justice and reduce offending and reoffending.

“For every crime we prevent, there is one less victim on our streets. We’re seeing great results in reducing reoffending in our innovative work with women and young people, and are committed to being forerunners in this area, pushing boundaries and testing new approaches to reducing reoffending and harm to victims.

“This is not just about devolution, it’s about transformation. We will work together to see what needs to change and co-design an effective criminal justice system that meets the needs of local people and our conurbation. This is a new dawn for the justice system in Greater Manchester.”

Andrew Selous, Under-Secretary of State for Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation is joining Tony to sign the deal that will result in the transfer of powers to Greater Manchester.

Justice Minister Andrew Selous said: “I am a firm fan of devolution and I am pleased to join Greater Manchester’s journey towards a justice service that is run by locals, for locals – and has a safer community for everyone at its heart. 

 “This commitment underpins the Ministry of Justice’s reform programme across courts, prisons and the probation service. The government remains of the firm view that that decisions taken at a local level, by people who know best how, when and where to spend their money, can bring lasting, meaningful, improvements to communities.

 “It is this transformation that will allow us to design together an effective criminal justice system that better meets the needs of Greater Manchester.”

The minister is to join Tony for an event to mark the devolution deal on 7 July, which will bring together people from local councils, the police, youth justice, prosecution service, probation, voluntary organisations, the courts and more, to find out about the opportunities available as a result of devolved criminal justice powers.

Justice devolution in Greater Manchester will place a stronger focus on rehabilitation, prevention, and harm reduction. The plans include greater involvement in plans for local courts, transformation of the youth justice system, a bigger say in probation services, more autonomy for prison governors, and new opportunities for rehabilitating and resettling offenders.