Prisoners on Remand: South West

(asked on 24th September 2020) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make it his policy to fund all future provision of Virtual Remand Hearings by Avon and Somerset police.


Answered by
Chris Philp Portrait
Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 2nd October 2020

COVID-19 has been the biggest peacetime challenge that our justice system has faced. Video Remand Hearings (VRH) have been an important tool to free up court capacity for trials which must take place in person. During a pandemic, anything which reduces the number of people travelling to court is the right thing to do for the safety of all those who come into contact with the criminal justice system. The roll out of VRH was rapid, and we are grateful to all of those that have engaged with it to ensure the continued operation of the criminal justice system.

I am aware of concerns over resourcing pressures. During this unprecedented time all parts of the criminal justice system have been required to operate in new ways to keep the public safe and ensure that justice is delivered. My Department is engaging with the police and Home Office to agree a way forward.

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