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COVID-19 and the criminal justice system

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COVID-19 and the criminal justice system

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COVID-19 has radically altered criminal justice systems across the world. It has impacted on patterns of crime, the authorities’ ability to detect certain crimes like child abuse, as well as justice system’s response to the impact of the pandemic.

Some justice system leaders have initiated major changes in policy and practice at an unprecedented pace. New working practices have been introduced, technologies leveraged to facilitate remote working and protocols adapted to prioritise high risk offences. Deloitte research found that these changes were facilitated by a more collaborative approach across agencies during the crisis.

While leaders are positive about the benefits of the changes there are also some concerns. For instance, there is a backlog in some areas like courts and probation services and the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the justice system is yet unknown.