Justice Efficiencies and
Access to the Justice System
5. Management information: effective case management requires management
information.
The justice system is, in some respects, an information system. It gathers,
analyzes and evaluates information about someone or something in light
of legal information. Considering the volume of information the system
handles it is ironic that so little information about the system is widely
available. A great deal is known about each case and very little about
cases in aggregate. Knowledge, in the form of statistics or management
information, is a crucial component in understanding exactly what is going
on and where to develop and focus initiatives.
There is a large body of national data at the Canadian Centre for Justice
Statistics that is supplemented by local data in many jurisdictions. Certainly
the quality and usefulness of data can always be improved. Meaningful
comparisons over time and location require standard definitions and protocols.
Something as basic as what is “one case” can mean different
things to different participants within jurisdictions and nationally and
can produce very different data as a result.
Case processing time data is important for many case management decisions,
especially in relation to policy development and establishment of local
resource targets. Yet it paints different pictures depending on whether
the time when a warrant is outstanding is counted or not in the data.
But even given these concerns, the information currently available is
extensive and valuable. It appears a major impediment is lack of demand
for the information or lack of capacity to utilize it. This should change.
The Justice Information Council, composed of the provincial deputy ministers
responsible for justice in Canada, should attach a higher priority to
the collection and dissemination of information about the justice system
generally and case flow in particular, and jurisdictions should ensure
they fully exploit the potential of CCJS.
Better information is needed to ensure we understand both the problem
and the alleged solution. The Centre of Criminology of the University
of Toronto study notes a dearth of research on the nature and sources
of the case processing problems and suggests that some assumptions about
procedures to improve the efficiency of the courts are incorrect. The
report indicates that preliminary inquires might actually enhance case
processing time.
We may be closer to useful data than appears. Utilizing data, made available
through information technology, can assist each sector to actively manage
their own process issues; and jointly develop strategies to address issues
that involve one or more of them so they can collectively ensure the justice
system makes effective use of its time and resources.
Implementation Examples
Integrated management information systems such as Justice Enterprise
Information System (JEIN) in Nova Scotia and Justice Information System
(JUSTIN) in BC connect parts of the justice system and provide certain
types of process information, which can be used for management purposes.
These systems may also provide ready access to information about movement
of prisoners, case status, correctional histories and other information
necessary to the efficient management and analysis of court systems.
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