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About us

What we do

We work to protect the public and reduce reoffending, and to provide a more effective, transparent and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public.

Responsibilities

We are responsible for these parts of the justice system:

  • courts
  • prisons
  • probation services
  • attendance centres

We also work in partnership with the other government departments and agencies to reform the criminal justice system, to serve the public and support the victims of crime. We are also responsible for making new laws, strengthening democracy, and safeguarding human rights.

Priorities

  • Improve public safety and reduce reoffending by reforming prisons, probation and youth justice
  • Build a One Nation justice system by making access to justice swifter and more certain for all citizens whatever their background
  • Uphold the rule of law, defend the independence of the judiciary, safeguard essential liberties and restore historic freedoms
  • Delivering efficiently in MOJ: ensure the best possible service for citizens by making our department more efficient and more open, with policy driven by evidence

Read our Single Departmental Plan to find out more about how we are performing against our objectives.

Who we are

We are one of the largest government departments, employing around 70,040 people (including those in the Probation Service), with a budget of approximately £9 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales.

We work with many other government agencies, including:

  • HM Courts and Tribunals Service
  • HM Prison Service
  • Legal Aid Agency
  • National Offender Management Service (NOMS)
  • Office of the Public Guardian
  • Probation Service
  • Youth Justice Board

Corporate information

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Jobs and contracts

Read about the types of information we routinely publish in our Publication scheme. Our Personal information charter explains how we treat your personal information.

Corporate reports