An announcement today that the government is intent upon the fast tracking recruitment of 6,000 new magistrates is supposed to fill observers of our justice system with joyful hearts. If the experience of the Metropolitan Police is anything to go by this sticking plaster to cover the increasingly rapid exit of experienced magistrates just won`t stick. With the Met a decade of pruning officer numbers has resulted in a shortage of up to 1,000 experienced detectives. Perhaps that`s a reason for apparent inefficiencies in their successful conviction rate.
Taking lay personnel and bringing them to a knowledge base where they can be relied upon to dispense fair justice free from bias but overladen with logic and structure is not a train today and render tomorrow process. It is a hands on process where the experience of others is transmitted on the job. At a time when many families are experiencing financial tightening many possible applicants will be excluded being unwilling to offer the time required. Perhaps some of those out of work will be tempted. That should be firmly off the table. Anyone looking for work should not be offering 13+ days annually as a volunteer.
Like so many systems within the control of government this is yet another attempt to re arrange the deck chairs whilst the ship is sinking.
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