While praising staff commitment and the acceleration of digital working, it warned the number of ongoing cases in Crown courts was 44% higher in December 2020 than in February of the same year. Latest figures showed more than 53,000 cases are waiting to come before Crown courts, with some scheduled for 2022.
Chief Inspector of Probation Justin Russell said: ‘Delays mean victims must wait longer for cases to be heard; some will withdraw support for prosecutions because they have lost faith in the process.
‘Witnesses will find it difficult to recall events that took place many months ago, and prosecutors waste significant periods of time preparing for cases that do not go ahead. Those accused of crimes face delays in their opportunities to defend themselves and seek acquittal. Defendants are kept on remand for longer periods, and prisoners continue to experience a highly restrictive prison regime or experience delays in accessing rehabilitation programmes and support through probation services.
‘Court backlogs have a ripple effect across all criminal justice agencies.’
A CPS spokesperson said: ‘Safely reducing the backlog of court cases is vital so we can ease pressure on prosecutors and continue to deliver justice.’
David Greene, president of the Law Society, said: ‘There was already a substantial backlog of cases in the Crown Courts prior to the pandemic, as a result of years of underfunding and cuts.
‘We agree with the four chief inspectors that, in light of the pandemic, the situation in the criminal justice system is now critical and a whole-system solution is required.’
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