Kosovo (Under UNSCR 1244) Statistical Training

1. Kosovo (Under UNSCR 1244) Statistical Training Prosecution / Courts Session 6, October 7th, 14.45 – 16.00 Overview of the Criminal Justice System and Statistics – Publication of results, analysis and interpretation DEVELOPMENT OF MONITORING INSTRUMENTS FOR JUDICIAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTITUTIONS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS 2009-2011 Phase three – Training With funding from the European Union

2. Publications, analysis and interpretation Some general notions A description of the Dutch situation Specific remarks and recommendations(to be discussed!)

3. Importance of publicising statistics The key principles of publishing statistics are that: • Consider the data user and what they need to do their job better • Published statistics must be trusted by their readers • They also need to be understood clearly • These principles are not technology or output dependent • Therefore the statistician must be prepared to repeat messages and to explain from first principles what the figures mean

4. Avoiding political interference • Justice Statistics should be free from political interference, this means: • Statistics should be released to everybody at the same time to avoid political misuse of the figures or their suppression • There is a need for a list of contact points where people can ask further questions about the statistics • A policy is needed for more detailed release on request: eg to academics for research including making data anonymous. • If this is not the case, it is important to work towards this and build agreements that work towards statistical independence.

5. Publications, analysis and interpretation A description of the Dutch situation Key is the yearly publication with statistics on every part of the Criminal Justice System The publication is both by Statistics Netherlands and the Ministry of Justice Research Department (WODC) The publication consists of data and ample explanations, but NO interpretations The publication is NOT subject to permission of the Minister of Justice or any other political influence The publication is available as pdf on Internet (but not in English)

6. Publications, analysis and interpretation A description of the Dutch situation (2) Tables with statistical data (more than in the book publication) are available on both Statistics Netherlands and the WODC website There is an ‘Information Desk’ where specific questions (by policy makers, media and general public) are answered Raw data for research are available on request (provided certain conditions regarding privacy are met). This is extensively used by research institutes, both commercial and university institutes and the WODC itself.

7. Publications, analysis and interpretation Specific remarks and recommendations A general statistical (book)publication is generally the best way to disseminate basic information on crime and criminal justice We know from customer surveys that paper publication is still the desired form There is / should be a clear distinction between ‘giving the figures’ and ‘interpretation of the results’. A general statistical publication should not do any interpreation Avoid different agencies reporting on the same subjects. There will always be differences, thus having a negative effect on the credibility

8. Publications, analysis and interpretation Specific remarks and recommendations (2) A general publication should be restricted to simple, well understood indicators. For Prosecution and Courts this could be: Prosecution input Prosecution decisions Court input Court decisions Sanctions imposed Number of Prosecutors, judges, other personnel Preferably by crime type, sex / age group of offender and if this makes sense also by geographic area

9. Publications, analysis and interpretation Specific remarks and recommendations (3) In presenting data over time, changes in the time series could be attributed to system changes. This should be clearly commented upon. A publication in English could be very useful, but: Translation is not easy More explanation is needed Recommendation: aim for a shorter English version

10. Publications, analysis and interpretation Specific remarks and recommendations (4) Dissemination can take the following forms: Regular publications on paper Regular publications on Internet Answering specific requests Providing raw, individual data The last two need personnel with a good knowledge of both the Criminal Justice field and Statistics

11. Publications, analysis and interpretation Specific remarks and recommendations (5) About Publication on Internet: It is very time consuming: Maintaining the web-site Answering questions that will be asked via the web-site In my view it should be used in addition to a paper publication by: Electronic access to the data (e.g. Excel) Providing more data

12. Kosovo (Under UNSCR 1244) Statistical Training Prosecution / Courts Session 6, October 7th, 14.45 – 16.00 Overview of the Criminal Justice System and Statistics – Publication of results, analysis and interpretation DEVELOPMENT OF MONITORING INSTRUMENTS FOR JUDICIAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTITUTIONS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS 2009-2011 Phase three – Training With funding from the European Union