The woman in charge of this watchdog, Helen Pitcher is only contracted to work ‘up to 10 days a month’.
>Barry Shearman MP, chair of a parliamentary group on miscarriages of justice, said Pitcher’s focus on other projects, including co-directing Perast Paradise Properties, was a symptom of cuts to justice budgets that meant her job was reduced to “up to 10 days” a month.
>
>“The justice system is in tatters. It is the most diminished of all departments financially since 2010, with more cuts than anyone else. They do everything on a shoestring,” he said.
>
>“This woman was never appointed on a full-time basis. This is one of a portfolio of jobs because they don’t offer a proper salary or position to do it. With small resources and a part-time job, what do you expect? … This is the phenomenon you get when the justice system is rotten to the core.”
My guess is the appalling Andrew Malkinson case is the tip of a large iceberg. This watchdog surely needs a dedicated full time chairperson and its funding increased substantially. I hope some momentum can be built up to make this happen.
1 comment
The woman in charge of this watchdog, Helen Pitcher is only contracted to work ‘up to 10 days a month’.
>Barry Shearman MP, chair of a parliamentary group on miscarriages of justice, said Pitcher’s focus on other projects, including co-directing Perast Paradise Properties, was a symptom of cuts to justice budgets that meant her job was reduced to “up to 10 days” a month.
>
>“The justice system is in tatters. It is the most diminished of all departments financially since 2010, with more cuts than anyone else. They do everything on a shoestring,” he said.
>
>“This woman was never appointed on a full-time basis. This is one of a portfolio of jobs because they don’t offer a proper salary or position to do it. With small resources and a part-time job, what do you expect? … This is the phenomenon you get when the justice system is rotten to the core.”
My guess is the appalling Andrew Malkinson case is the tip of a large iceberg. This watchdog surely needs a dedicated full time chairperson and its funding increased substantially. I hope some momentum can be built up to make this happen.