Requires overhaul of part-time chairmanship of prison instances evaluation physique
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awyers representing exonerated prisoner Andrew Malkinson have known as for the chairmanship of the physique chargeable for investigating potential miscarriages of justice to be made full-time.
Emily Bolton, the solicitor for Mr Malkinson – who served 17 years behind bars after being wrongly convicted of rape, stated the place of Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) chairman was of “such central importance to the justice system” that it ought to not be fulfilled part-time.
The push for the part-time publish to be upgraded comes after the Daily Telegraph reported that chairwoman of the CCRC, Helen Pitcher, holds a further eight positions exterior of her work with the evaluation physique.
The CCRC has are available in for criticism after it twice turned down Mr Malkinson’s software for his rape conviction to be referred for enchantment by the organisation.
The 57-year-old has since had his 2003 conviction for the assault in Greater Manchester quashed by the Court of Appeal after DNA doubtlessly linking one other man to the crime was recognized.
Resolving miscarriages of justice instances is of such central significance to the justice system that it requires a full-time management position
The CCRC stated six of Ms Pitcher’s roles take up little or no of her time because it assured that there was a set of “full-time case review managers” engaged on appeals, with greater than 100 miscarriages of justice overturned after referral up to now three years.
Ms Pitcher instructed MPs in December that she deliberate to “relinquish” some duties forward of her appointment as chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) — one other part-time place she carries out together with her CCRC job.
Ms Bolton, a lawyer and founding father of the authorized charity Appeal – which supported Mr Malkinson, stated: “Resolving miscarriages of justice cases is of such central importance to the justice system that it requires a full-time leadership role.
“But that is just the beginning of the problem.
“The CCRC chair and its senior leadership team should be people with a background in factual investigation, such as from investigative journalism, public inquiry work, forensic science, criminal defence investigation, or system failure research.
“A complete overhaul of leadership and culture is needed if the organisation is to return to its roots and act as a conduit to justice for people like Andy Malkinson rather than as a barrier.”
The Commons Justice Committee performed a pre-appointment listening to with Ms Pitcher on December 6 forward of taking on the position of chair of the JAC.
During the session, Ms Pitcher stated she was “absolutely confident” she might discover the time to be chairwoman of each the CCRP and JAC.
She instructed the committee: “In terms of time to the CCRC, it is two days a week, but that is flexible as to how it comes.
“It is not a Monday and Friday; it is as and when I am needed.
“It is roughly 10 days a month.”
Ms Pitcher instructed the committee there have been “other roles in my portfolio” that she might “relinquish”.
Her LinkedIn social media profile has 9 positions marked as being presently held, together with as senior unbiased director of surgical care supplier One Health Group and president of charity KidsOut.
While reluctant to inform MPs what roles she deliberate to surrender as she had not but given discover, she identified that her duties as chairwoman of the Public Chairs’ Forum have been for a two-year fastened time period and would finish in 2023.
As of Saturday, she was nonetheless listed on her LinkedIn web page as chair of the discussion board.
A spokesman for the CCRC stated: “The CCRC has a highly committed team of full-time case review managers.
“Helen Pitcher’s role as CCRC chairman is not about individual case review management – it focuses on governance, board leadership and stakeholder management.
“Helen is contracted to 10 days per month with the CCRC – though she routinely works more than that.
“She also works for 10 days per month with the JAC, and her other roles require an average of five hours per month combined.”
The PA news company understands that Ms Pitcher’s unpaid duties at three organisations she has ties with quantities to a one-hour assembly as soon as each three months.
The CCRC spokesman added: “In the last three years, the number of miscarriages of justice overturned following CCRC referral has almost doubled from a historical average of 20 to 35 per year.
“More case reviews have also been completed per year, and in recent months the organisation has seen a 30% rise in applications.”
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice, the Government division that sponsors the unbiased CCRC, stated: “The Lord Chancellor has been clear he is committed to uncovering any lessons learned in Andrew Malkinson’s case.
“He is carefully considering how best to get the answers Mr Malkinson deserves.”