Context
Jurors dealing with extremely violent crimes often feel insufficient aftercare is available to deal with their experiences, despite being advised to seek counselling through their GP or the Samaritans.
Question
If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of support available to jurors who have been adversely affected by sitting on a jury. Currently, jurors dealing with extremely violent crimes, witnessing ever-increasingly sophisticated and graphic material, often feel that they do not have sufficient aftercare to deal with their experiences.
Answer from Gareth Bacon
Juries are a vital part of our criminal justice system, and jury service is an important civic duty. We want to do everything we can to help jurors feel supported as they undertake that important role, which is why the Government have announced our intention to test counselling sessions for jurors who suffer mental and emotional strain following a trial. That pilot will commence in 15 courts this summer. I thank the hon. Lady for her question, which is extremely relevant. As she can imagine, there have been extensive discussions between the Department and the judiciary about this. The senior presiding judge has approved the test sites for the pilot that I have just discussed. Support of the type that we are providing in the pilot has not been provided before, so the pilot itself will inform an essential part of the judgment we make on whether and how we can carry on.
Not addressed: The specific ask regarding discussions about increasing post-trial support was acknowledged but no concrete commitments or timelines were given beyond mentioning a pilot programme.
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