Alison Saunders
Director of Public Prosecutions, Crown Prosecution Service
What were your biggest policy and delivery challenges in 2013, and how did you handle them?
Some of the biggest policy challenges for the CPS in 2013 involved introducing new guidance for prosecutors in response to emerging trends and issues. We tackled the challenges posed by the growing use of social media by publishing new guidance for prosecutors on cases involving communications sent online. In light of the Jimmy Savile and recent child grooming cases, we also published new guidance on child sexual abuse, marking a watershed moment with a new approach focused on the overall credibility of the allegation, rather than the perceived weakness of the person making it. To ensure the guidance was as well-informed and effective as possible, it was put out to public consultation and we held meetings with experts to seek their views on the topics, before the final guidance was published.
Where have you made the most progress in implementing the Civil Service Reform Plan, and what are your reform priorities for 2014?
We have made good progress on the implementation of the Civil Service Reform Plan. As well as streamlining our processes by sharing best practice across the organisation, we have restructured the service to have more focussed and resilient operational units, and have implemented digital working across the service so that it is now the norm in all magistrates court cases and a large volume of Crown Court cases. A great deal of work has also been put into assessing our training needs across the organisation and considering how we meet these. In 2014 we will continue to progress digital working moving into the court arena, and we will be looking at how we continue to be more transparent, including around our performance.
What are your key challenges in the last year of the Parliament? How will you tackle them?
As with all departments, the general challenge will be to implement plans for legislative and wider changes to the criminal justice system, without becoming distracted by any potential future plans that might arise in the next Parliament. We’ll continue to improve our performance and the quality of our casework, and we’ll be working to improve the service we provide to victims and witnesses. Our values of independence and professionalism will remain at the heart of what we do, so we continue to deliver justice for the public throughout.
What would you most like Santa to bring you this year? And what should he take away?
One of my key priorities as new DPP is to ensure all staff members have the right tools for the job – myself included! I’d like Santa to bring me a new, lighter electronic device so that working digitally is as smooth as possible, especially as I start my visits to each of the 13 CPS areas in the New Year.
I’d like Santa to take away the barriers to prosecution when the victims feel unable to come forward or support the case. I’d like to see the myths and stereotypes surrounding particular cases, such as rape and child sexual abuse, completely dispelled, so that all victims can feel confident that the criminal justice system will handle their allegation seriously and sensitively, and that they will receive the service they deserve.