CPS letters to victims are of unacceptably poor quality

A report from Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) has found that two years on, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is still sending poor quality letters to victims of crime.

Inspectors looked at 490 letters and rated less than one in four letters (24.1%) as being of a satisfactory standard, an improvement of 0.1% since 2018. Given the recommendations made in 2018 and the work that the CPS has done to address the issues, inspectors had hoped for greater improvement. Inspectors noted some slight improvement in eight of the 14 Areas, but in all Areas, the majority of letters were still of poor quality.

Inspectors also reviewed letters to victims in cases involving rape and serious sexual offences and found that the standard of responses in these sensitive cases were worse, with only 19% of letters being of satisfactory quality. Letters to victims in domestic abuse cases were also examined and inspectors found 28% were of satisfactory quality. Inspectors assessment was that in many of the letters examined there was more to be done to demonstrate a level of empathy – 58% of letters were rated as having satisfactory empathy, although a 12% improvement from the 2018 findings, the letters were a long way from satisfactory performance.

Inspectors also found that the timeliness of responses had deteriorated since 2018, with more victims receiving letters late. The report revealed that just 65.1% of letters were timely, compared to 72% in the 2018 inspection.

In line with the 2018 findings, inspectors found that often the explanation of the CPS’s decision did not sufficiently cover the circumstances and included legal terms that were sometimes difficult for victims to understand. The inspection also revealed that not all prosecutors take personal responsibility for their involvement in the provision of information to allow the CPS to send effective letters to victims. This lack of compliance impacts both timeliness and quality.

 

Commenting on the report, Deputy Chief Inspector Anthony Rogers, said:

“Although the CPS has worked hard to try to improve the quality of letters sent to victims, this inspection shows that this has resulted in no improvement.

“Victims of crime deserve to be treated with proper care and attention, so I’m disappointed that the letters received by victims from the CPS have not improved. Poor quality letters received by victims is bound to undermine confidence in the Criminal Justice System.

“It would be pointless for HMCPSI to repeat the still valid recommendations we made in 2018, and I urge the CPS to urgently review whether the arrangements it has in place are the right ones to deliver on its commitments to victims. Our view is that a fundamental rethink is necessary.”

 

Note to editors

1. HMCPSI inspects prosecution services, providing evidence to make the prosecution process better and more accountable. We have a statutory duty to inspect the work of the Crown Prosecution Service.
2. The full inspection report can be found here: VCL report (433 kB)
   3. Inspection looked at letters from Spring 2019 to the end of February 2020.
3. Inspectors also held virtual interviews and meetings with CPS Areas.
4. HMCPSI originally looked at the quality of letters to victims during an inspection in 2018. The report can be found here: https://inspectorates-staging.bang-on.net/hmcpsi/inspections/victim-liaison-units-letters-sent-to-the-public-by-the-cps-nov-18/