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A UK government report published this week (9 July) reveals how severe delays amid the Crown Court backlog crisis are having a significant impact on victims, witnesses, defendants, and prisons.

The report, , which emphasises the severity of the current issues, includes contributions from several experts, including Michelle McDermott, Subject Area Lead for Community Justice at the ��������.

Published by the , the report details how the severe delays within the Crown Court have been caused by years of underfunding, outdated court facilities, staffing shortages, and poor coordination across agencies, requiring a comprehensive, system-wide solution.

The report further highlights that, as of December 2024, there were over 75,000 outstanding cases in the Crown Court - more than twice the number in 2019, with trials scheduled as far ahead as 2029.

Michelle McDermott from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the �������� provided valuable insights on the probation service, its role in sentencing through the provision of pre-sentence reports, and how it is affected by and contributes to the wider crisis. 

She also highlighted the importance of report quality and timeliness, referencing promising pilot programmes. However, this work takes place against a backdrop of significant structural change, including the privatisation and subsequent reunification of the service, alongside persistent challenges in recruitment, retention, and workload pressures.

“The probation service plays a key role in delivering timely and fair justice” said Ms McDermott. “High-quality pre-sentence reports are essential for helping courts make informed sentencing decisions that support rehabilitation and protect the public. 

“By examining the pressures on the service, including staffing shortages and structural reforms, and learning from promising pilot programmes,  we can strengthen the probation service’s contribution to more efficient sentencing and build confidence in the criminal justice system.”

She made the following key recommendations:

• Improve the quality and timeliness of pre-sentence reports by ensuring they are completed by appropriately skilled and qualified officers.
• Ensure safeguarding frameworks are in place to support robust and safe decision-making.
• Avoid undue pressure for speed that may compromise report quality or accuracy.
• Provide consistent training for all probation staff involved in report preparation.
• Strengthen communication between probation and court stakeholders to support effective sentencing decisions.

The report was crucial in addressing the pressing challenges within the criminal justice system, where the input of academic expertise was essential.