The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has launched a strategy statement for the office for two-year period to 2024.

The DPP Catherine Pierse (pictured) said that a plan for significant investment in the prosecution service – including its digital and technology capability – would be key to delivering some of the strategy’s objectives.

The DPP directs and supervises public prosecutions on indictment in the courts, and the office has 230 staff.

Need for ‘strong’ IT systems

Launching the plan, the director said that it came at a “challenging time”, with “unprecedented growth” in the demands on the service, arising largely from an increase in case files and from the backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of files submitted to the office has increased by 40% since 2017.

The strategy states that the role of social media and the ”exponential growth” of digital data relevant to criminal investigations “has and will continue to impact hugely” on the office’s work.

”In this sphere, there is a need for strong ICT and governance systems to assist with the analysis and management of data relevant to cases,” the plan says.

Accommodation a priority

The document sets out four strategic goals for the period to 2024, under four headings:

• Digital,
• Service,
• People, and
• Collaboration.

The DPP says that investment is needed to enhance the inter-operability of its ICT systems, and to participate in technology initiatives with key stakeholders across the criminal-justice system.

Resources

The office also says it will “assess and seek” the resources needed to respond to the changing demands on the service, and “continuously review” its case-management and prosecution processes.

On staff, the DPP’s office says that it will continue to recruit and retain “highly capable and professional people with a strong commitment to public service”.

It adds, however, that addressing its “acute” accommodation needs will be a priority after recent growth.

The office also commits itself to sharing its knowledge and expertise, and learning from the perspective of others, to improve the criminal-justice system.