Briefing note to Legal Representatives
The HMPPS Bail Information Service (BIS) is being rolled out nationally, with recruitment underway to support the delivery of this service both at first hearings (probation court staff to support) and second or subsequent hearings (to be supported by prison-based staff).
Bail information reports (BIR) provide relevant, objective, and factual information to the court to enable it to make fully informed decisions about bail or custodial remand. Bail Information Officers do not advocate for or against bail but gather information to assist the court decision.
Bail Officer activities in Court
• Liaise with the Crown Prosecution Service, HMCTS, Defence advocates, Probation Service, police, and any other relevant agencies at the earliest opportunity in the process, to support the efficient running of the court day through early case identification and information exchange.
• Interview defendants to gather factual and relevant information.
• Conduct checks relating to a proposed address, including making contact with the primary householder identified, and completing necessary safeguarding enquiries by obtaining relevant information/data from police, local authorities, and other agencies.
• Liaise with relevant statutory and/or voluntary support services and complete referrals as required for NACRO-CAS accommodation.
• Check with Home Office Immigration to confirm legal status of foreign national defendants.
• Prepare a written Bail Information Report or update courts via verbal delivery as required.
• Bail Officers will work with their counterparts in the HMP to share and represent information for either 1st or subsequent bail applications.
Legal Representatives:
Please liaise with probation court colleagues or prison bail officers at the earliest opportunity. By identifying cases at the earliest possible opportunity, we will maximize the time available to seek out the necessary information that will support judicial decision-making regarding bail or remand decisions, including removing practical barriers to bail or signposting to community support services.
Please contact the Probation Service to get the contact details of your bail information officer and information on when the service will be available at your court. Thank you
General BIS enquiries: Bail-information-service@justice.gov.uk