Wales’s first dedicated drug court was today launched by Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Jack Straw in Cardiff.
Drug courts form part of a Ministry of Justice programme designed to break the cycle of reoffending by putting in place a range of ‘problem-solving’ courts and, in this instance, to drive down drug-fuelled acquisitive crime, such as robbery or theft.
Dedicated drug courts work by ensuring that the same magistrates are, or district judge is, used throughout a case. This allows them to keep track of the offender’s progress, to receive an early warning if there is any relapse and to apply sanctions if necessary. The offender will also be required to undergo regular drug tests and be subject to stringent drug rehabilitation orders.
Attending the Cardiff launch, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said:
‘Drug-related crime can have a devastating effect on communities. Offenders often become caught up in a cycle of crime to fuel their habits, which in turn means their local community is blighted. It is vital that we find new and innovative of tackling this - our ultimate goal is to reduce reoffending and make Cardiff a safer place to live.
‘Dedicated drug courts are designed to do just this. Many offenders come from chaotic backgrounds where stability has been lacking, so continuity in the court is especially important. The idea is that seeing familiar faces can help build a relationship between the judge and addict, motivating offenders to salvage their life from the hold of drugs. When the cycle of drug abuse and crime is broken, and someone changes their life for the better, the whole community benefits.’
Problem-solving courts take a specialist approach in dealing with offenders with specific needs, from drug abuse to domestic violence. They consider the causes and consequences of offending, dealing with the underlying problems associated with criminal behaviour.
They also encourage closer working between agencies and support services in Cardiff, from the police to the judiciary. There are several key benefits which drive the government’s commitment to problem-solving courts. They help reduce reoffending, increase public confidence by addressing the needs of local communities, and create a more effective and efficient criminal justice system.
The two original dedicated drug court pilots were launched at Leeds and West London Magistrates' Courts in December 2005. The decision to extend the pilot scheme to four more courts was announced in April 2008, after an evaluation indicated they can have a positive impact on court attendance and compliance by offenders.
Notes to editors
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The evaluation into the two existing drugs courts in Leeds and West London is available on the Ministry of Justice website. Three other new drug court pilots are in Barnsley, Salford, and Bristol Magistrates’ Courts.
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Of the 1,225 offenders charged with acquisitive offences within a seven-month period during April to December 2008 at Cardiff, 395 of those tested positive for class A drugs. For 2008 (January-December) there were 1,625 referrals to services for problematic drug use in Cardiff.
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The Dedicated Drug Court in Cardiff will operate at the Cardiff Magistrates Court every Wednesday.
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Any further media enquiries on this press release should be directed to Nicole Valentinuzzi on 020 3334 3547.
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