Justice needs ‘reforming spirit’

Chris Grayling will need to have the strength and courage to avoid undermining a reform programme that is reducing crime and saving money, campaigners said on Tuesday.

The new Justice Secretary should bring with him the reforming spirit he has shown on welfare and unemployment, a think-tank added. Christian Guy, managing director of the Centre for Social Justice, said he was sure Mr Grayling will “continue the Government’s drive to cut reoffending and slow the revolving-door culture that has blighted this country’s criminal justice system for years”.

“We hope he will carry the reforming spirit he has shown on welfare reform to the Ministry of Justice.”

Calling for him to “ramp up efforts to tackle drugs in prison”, Mr Guy said:

“The only way to reduce crime is to hit its root causes, and a sustained focus on eliminating drugs from prisons would be a positive and effective move.”

Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said Mr Grayling “will need to have the strength and courage to resist political point-scoring, challenge vested interest and avoid undermining a reform programme that is reducing crime and saving money”.

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