Behind Bars - Visible Justice

Criminals are being left with no place to hide in Staffordshire, thanks to a new scheme which will see their photos published online.

The ‘Behind Bars’ initiative went live today (19 Oct) on the Staffordshire Police website.

It will promote the outcome of certain cases in which offenders aged 18 and over are sentenced at Stafford or Stoke-on-Trent crown courts to at least six months in prison or a Young Offenders Institution.

The scheme is being launched as part of Inside Justice Week, which runs until 22 October and gives the public unique insights into their local criminal justice system.

The Staffordshire Behind Bars scheme is designed to:

reassure the law-abiding public and increase their confidence that the Criminal Justice System is fair, effective and successful
provide information about court outcomes that is relevant to Staffordshire communities and neighbourhoods
improve the effectiveness of criminal justice, eg by encouraging victims to report crime or witnesses to come forward
discourage potential offenders and reduce re-offending.

It can be accessed at http://www.staffordshire.police.uk/news/behind_bars/ , or by clicking on the link on the homepage of the force’s website.

Supt Juliet Prince, head of Justice Services for Staffordshire Police, said: “With our partners on the Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board, we are working hard to make local criminal justice services more open, transparent and accountable.

“The scheme will allow people to see the photos and offence details of people who have been locked up, as well as where they are from and where they committed their crimes.

“We’re confident that Behind Bars will do a lot to reassure people that the criminal justice services in Staffordshire are working hard on their behalves, and dealing with those who commit crimes in our communities.”

Paul Gallagher, of Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board, said: “The Staffordshire Criminal Justice Board has an action plan to improve public confidence in the justice system. We will only achieve this by giving the public in Staffordshire a better understanding of what is being done.

“The Behind Bars initiative will show the public how some offenders are dealt with, and challenge the myth that some 'get away with it' and do not get appropriate punishment.”

Behind Bars cases will remain online for one month from when the offender is sentenced. No information will be published that could identify a victim or a witness in a court case.

And not every offender jailed or detained for six months or more will be featured. Inclusion will depend on a number of factors, including any potential implications for victims.