§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training has been received by probation officers, judges, magistrates, recorders and justices' clerks in preparation for the Criminal Justice Act 1991.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 30 October 1992]: The probation service has undertaken a major training exercise for probation officers in preparation for the implementation of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. This training covered full details of the legislation as well as its implications for probation practice. The Judicial Studies Board has provided comprehensive guidance and training on the Act for both the professional and the lay judiciary. Judges of the Court of Appeal and the High Court were given a briefing in the Lord Chief Justice's court, while judges, recorders and assistant recorders sitting in Crown courts received a guide to the sentencing provisions of the
6WAct as part of the Crown Court bench book on sentencing. The Judicial Studies Board produced an introduction of the Act and a copy of this document was sent to each magistrate. A comprehensive training package was also produced to assist those, usually justices' clerks, who train the magistrates. The Home Office also held a series of special conferences attended by representatives of the agencies involved in the criminal justice system.