Politics, Policies and Professional Cultures: Creating Space for a Victim Perspective in the Crown Prosecution Service

Abstract

By critically examining the politicisation of crime victims and the subsequent development of a reform agenda aimed at putting victims at the heart of the criminal justice system, this chapter focuses on the impact of victim-centred reforms upon criminal justice professional cultures. Despite a plethora of initiatives, policies and legislation, research continues to indicate that reforms are not being implemented as intended, exposing an implementation gap that reflects negatively upon both professional practices and the experiences of victims. The chapter explores the barriers to implementing reforms and examines what factors and processes can act to influence cultural change. Whilst the police are routinely considered to be the face of the criminal justice system by many victims of crime, this chapter focuses on the lesser known and publically understood role of the Crown Prosecution Service, despite the actions and decisions of the latter being pivotal in delivering justice for victims. Originally created as an independent prosecuting authority on behalf of the state, this chapter examines the profound shift in the professional culture of the CPS and the courts. Imposed by a modernising reform agenda determined to rebalance the criminal justice system in favour of victims, the impact of victim participatory reforms upon prosecutorial culture and decision-making in an adversarial justice system is critically examined.