|
|
|
|
The Rules (Statutory Instrument 1859) Freedom of Information Act documents
|
|
Freedom of Information Act 2000
Documents published under this scheme:
PUBLICATION SCHEME Sentence Review Commissioners CONTENTS Introduction Paragraph 1 Freedom of Information Paragraphs 2-12
Guide to the information available under the Sentence Review Commissioners Publication Scheme Paragraphs 13-18
Feedback and Comments Paragraph 19 INTRODUCTION
1. The role of the Sentence Review Commissioners is to implement the arrangements established under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 for the accelerated release of prisoners convicted of scheduled offences in Northern Ireland or of similar offences elsewhere. And to consider the cases of prisoners recalled under the Act. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 2. The Freedom of Information Act received Royal Assent in November 2000. It is part of the Government's commitment to greater openness. It gives a general right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities and sets out exemptions from that right. In other words, it gives any individual a statutory right to request information directly from any public authority and have it provided except where it is classified as exempt under Sections 12 and 21-44 of the Act. It will come into operation in January 2005. 3.The full text of the Freedom of Information Act, both in print and online, may be obtained from The Stationery Office (see “links”). And further advice about Freedom of Information may be obtained from the Information Commissioner's Office (see “links”). 4. Until the Act comes fully into operation in January 2005, access to information about the work of the Commissioners that is not presently available under this Publication Scheme or otherwise readily accessible, will be considered in accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. This already commits Government Departments and Non-Departmental Public Bodies to publishing the facts, and analysis of the facts, that Government considers relevant and important in framing major policy proposals and decisions. The full text of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, in print and online, may be obtained from the Lord Chancellor's department (see”links”). PUBLICATION SCHEMES 5. Publication Schemes are a legal requirement under Sections 19 and 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. These sections come into operation from November 2002 onwards. Publication Schemes are essentially guides to the information that a public routinely publishes or intends to publish. If you are looking for information about the Sentence Review Commissioners you might find it helpful to use this Publication Scheme first. You might also find it helpful to refer to “inforoute” which is a register of Government information Assets. This is available online at http://www.inforoute.hmso.gov.uk THIS PUBLICATION SCHEME 6. The Sentence Review Commissioners Publication Scheme is available in print and online at www.sentencereview.org.uk Indicators will show where a charge may be levied. If you intend to apply for information for use in private research/study, it may be available free of charge on the website (i.e. there is may be no charge made by the Commissioners, but you will have to meet any charges made by your Internet Service Provider, personal printing costs, etc. together with any charges levied by public libraries that have Internet facilities). 7. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may obtain by post from The Secretary to the Sentence Review Commissioners, a single print-out of the information as it appears on the website. Requests to the Commissioners for printouts or for archived copies of documents that are no longer available on the website, will attract a charge for the cost of retrieval, photocopying, postage etc. The Commissioners will let you know the cost at the time of your request. Any charges will be payable in advance. From time to time, some items will be revised or may become obsolete. Please note that it will not always be possible to provide out of date or out of print material LINKS 8. Users may find the following links helpful: Equality Commission for Northern Ireland Tel: +44 (0)2890 500600 Fax:+44(0) 2890 329227
Information Commissioner's Office http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk Wycliffe House Tel: +44(0)1625 545700 Fax: +44(0)1625 524510 Lord Chancellor's Department http://www.lcd.gov.uk/foi/ogcode981.htm Freedom of Information Division Tel: +44(0)2072 102665
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Temple Court Tel: +44(0)2890 243987 Fax: +44(0)2890 247844 Northern Ireland Office Stormont House Tel: +44(0)2890 520700 Fax:+44 (0) 2890528195 Northern Ireland Prison Service http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk Dundonald House Tel: +44(0)2890 525065 Fax: +44(0)2890 525100 Probation Board for Northern Ireland 80-90 North Street Tel: +44(0)2890 262400 Fax: +44(0)2890 262436 Public Record Office Northern Ireland 66 Balmoral Avenue Tel: +44(0) 2890 251318 FINDING AND OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLICATION SCHEME
9. This Publication Scheme may be used as a directory to locate information either by subject, theme or group. This information is presented under the heading “classes of information” in Part Two, where you will find details of the information that the Commissioners publish; the format in which it is available, for example printed or online; and whether there is a charge for obtaining it. In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, all the information listed in this Publication Scheme will be published as soon a practicable (except where indicated in certain classes of information). HISTORICAL RECORDS 10. Official Records deemed of value for permanent preservation are usually transferred to the Northern Ireland Public Records Office (see “links”). EXEMPT INFORMATION 11. You should note that documents and/or information in this Publication Scheme may be edited or withheld either in accordance with the Sentences Act or where in the view of the Commissioners specific information should not be disclosed on grounds of national security; confidentiality; unwarranted invasion of privacy; and commercial sensitivity. For a full list of reasons for confidentiality you may wish to refer to Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, available both in print and online, from the Lord Chancellor's Department (see “links”). COPYRIGHT 12. Although subject to Crown Copyright, the material and information in this Publication Scheme may be reproduced for personal or in-house use without the formal permission of the Commissioners. However, reproduction for sale or other commercial purposes is not permitted. If in doubt, you should contact the Secretary to the Sentence Review Commissioners. Guide to the information available in the Sentence Review Commissioners Publication Scheme.
FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS 19. Feedback, comments or complaints about this Publication Scheme should be addressed to The Secretary, Sentence Review Commissioners at : The Office of the Sentence Review Commissioners |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
