20 December 2007
Strengthening the way the Ministry of Justice works with voluntary and community groups - known as the third sector - forms the basis for proposals released today for consultation.
Ministers want voluntary organisations and other social groups to contribute to government policy as a way of developing how the department works. The Ministry of Justice provides many different services, whether through the courts and tribunals, prisons and probation, to legal aid and mental capacity.
Third sector organisations have a critical role to play across the business of the department and the consultation paper is aimed at making the Ministry of Justice better at engaging with the sector.
Among its aims, the strategy will help to build community cohesion through local mentoring and volunteering schemes, and involve the third sector in policy development and design of public services.
Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said:
'An independent and diverse third sector already helps the department to realise its ambitions, and often with volunteers, but we believe that the sector's contribution can be enhanced to inform policy development and enable the design and delivery of quality services.
'The government wants to improve the public's understanding of the justice system by working more closely with voluntary groups and community organisations. Real change can be achieved by the voluntary sector and the state working together at all levels.'
The Ministry of Justice and its agencies already work with the third sector in a number of ways.
- The Legal Services Commission spends more than £80 million annually with the third sector and the amount of advice given by third sector bodies on civil and family legal problems has increased by 50 per cent in two years.
- Nationally, the department works with Victim Support providing services to victims of crime and encourages voluntary organisations to form local partnerships.
- Her Majesty's Prison Service chaplaincy manages some 7,000 volunteers from nearly 500 churches and faith communities.
- Devon and Cornwall Criminal Justice Board works with the Prison Advice and Care Trust in providing professionally managed advice desks in courts, staffed by volunteers to assist defendants and their families.
The National Offender Management Service published a third sector action plan in November 2007, which will contribute to the overall Ministry of Justice strategy.
Notes to editors
- Third Sector Strategy - improving policies and securing better public services through effective partnerships.
- The consultation closes on 20 March 2008.
Media enquiries on this news release should be directed to Peter O'Connor, Ministry of Justice press office. Tel: 020 7210 8913.