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<p /> <p>I refer to my reply of 24 November. The aim of the joint protocol between
NOMS, the police and the CPS is to strengthen, rather than replace, existing policy
and requirements on the reporting of crime committed in prison. It is not anticipated
that a large number of additional crimes will be processed through the court as a
result of the protocol. Rather, the protocol will be used to prioritise referrals
of crime to the police to ensure that the Criminal Justice System can target those
crimes causing most problems in prison, those committed by persistent or violent criminals
or those who are part of organised crime groups.</p><p> </p><p>As stated previously,
the potential costs arising from the increased number of serious crimes that will
now be dealt with by way of the Criminal Justice System rather than the prison disciplinary
system will depend on a number of factors and it is the expectation that any additional
costs will be covered through prioritising within existing Police and Departmental
budgets for handling crime.</p>
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