#VACJS25

And that's a wrap from beautiful Cardiff and the Vulnerable Accused Criminal Justice System conference #VACJS25

Sandwell are providing a wrap around service for children in Alternative Provisions including SLT to try and provide support to avoid contact with youth justice #VACJS25

Finally Vanessa Lloyd closing the conference- a speech and language therapist closing a criminal justice conference. Communication is central to so much in a justice setting. This makes me very happy 😊 #VACJS25

Now Melanie Jameson talking about dyslexia and what can support dyslexic individuals #VACJS25

...And there are a lot of steps and modifications along the way. Take away - listen to and observe the person closely #VACJS25

But it doesn't have to be that way, sometimes it works. This needs the right people involved early and buy in from all #VACJS25

Tony Bowman from The SOLD Network talking about barriers to justice for vulnerable defendants at every stage of the justice system #VACJS25

Tina presents a case study - 'Darius' - would earlier input be more cost effective as well as the emotional and social impact. Intermediary was not instructed until 4 days before trial #VACJS25

Final session of the conference already. Now, Tina Perreria from the intermediary cooperative talking about the use of intermediaries with the Police #VACJS25

Really need to be careful with restorative justice in prison settings where vulnerability can be dangerous #VACJS25

Vulnerability in prison is built on a number of factors: individual, interpersonal, situational, systemic #VACJS25

And now @katedoolin.bsky.social all the way from New Zealand talking about restorative justice in prisons & vulnerability #VACJS25

Akrivi's PhD will focus on voluntary interviews with children in Wales. Results to come later.... #VACJS25

...but there may be risks. How are children safeguarded? Do they understand what the voluntary interview is and how it may affect their case? #VACJS25

Akrivi Roumpou now speaking about voluntary police interviews with children- unclear about how many are happening. There are proposed benefits for keeping children away from police custody #VACJS25

73% of people served with an SJP order do not respond within the 21 days given - significant implications for vulnerable defendants #VACJS25

Vulnerable individuals being prosecuted when it may well be deemed it is not in the public interest #VACJS25

Now, Stephen Colman talking about the Single Justice Procedure. Did you know you could 'go to court' but not? And it is increasingly popular. Risk here of increase in guilty pleas simply to avoid going to court #VACJS25

Day 2 at #VACJS25 starting with a tech 'mare for my presentation!! Lora Briski from Slovenia presented on the increase on non native speakers attending court and how they are supported - need for specialist interpreters and careful assessment of language skills

And that is a wrap on Day 1! So much to take away and process #VACJS25

John shares some preliminary results- risk and responsibility sits with the Custody Sargent. Four key themes identified #VACJS25

John's current research is investigating the intermediary role in Police Custody in NI #VACJS25

Now John Taggart talking about the use of intermediaries in police custody in Northern Ireland. Very, very rare in England and Wales for suspects #VACJS25

Parole Board now all get trained in questioning- but they want more and it hasn't been evaluated. ...But complexity of questions is very much on the radar #VACJS25

The use of intermediaries (communication specialists) at Parole Board oral hearings in England and Wales O'Mahony, B.M., Milne, R. and Smith, K. (2024), "The use of Intermediaries (communication specialists) at Parole Board oral hearings in England and Wales", The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 129-143. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-04-2024-0012. Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited.

@brendanomahony.bsky.social and colleagues have published a paper on how intermediaries are used at Parole Board researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publicati... #VACJS25

Parole Board uses an inquisitorial approach unlike the adversarial approach used at court. Most prisoners do answer questions - these are likely to complex (justifying and explaining behaviour) #VACJS25

Individuals may be vulnerable at Parole Board for a number of reasons layered with a feeling of hopelessness. Parole Board is there to ascertain risk to the public #VACJS25

Now the legend that is @brendanomahony.bsky.social talking about his work with the Parole Board #VACJS25

Piers summarises what he belives Effective participation includes #VACJS25

Significant and key differences between capacity and effective participation. An individual may understand they've done something wrong and being held to account BUT can they instruct their legal team? #VACJS25