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File on 4: Justice on Trial

Justice on Trial

BBC Radio 4 - File on 4, Justice on Trial

An investigation into software introduced in criminal courts that sources say is ‘unsafe’.

Reporter Alys Harte investigates claims new software introduced in criminal courts is ‘unsafe’ and may be responsible for wrongful arrests and unlawful detentions.

It was to be one of the most ambitious just reform programmes in the world – a ‘common platform’ that would share information between the courts, lawyers and police, from arrest to court. But the quarter-of-a-billion pound IT project now stands accused of causing wrongful arrests and unlawful detentions. File on 4 has spoken with whistle-blowers from within the court service who say the system is unsafe, unfinished and beset with bugs, errors and glitches. Sources say early warnings were ignored and worry that the software continues to be rolled out to courts across England and Wales despite serious concerns about the risk it poses.

Producer: Ben Robinson
Reporter: Alys Harte
Editor: Carl Johnston

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