Justice Bill is a 'rag bag' of ideas

Ramsbotham said the lengthy Bill was "pointless and nonsense" and not part of a coherent development of criminal justice.

The Bill went before the House of Lords yesterday (22 January) and contains various measures including the youth rehabilitation order, which will replace existing community orders for under-18s, and proposals to review the use of antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos) on young people after one year.

Ramsbotham said the Bill was not concerned with criminal justice or immigration and accused the government of trying to speed the legislation through Parliament.

He was speaking at a Care and Health conference on what the Bill means for youth justice and described the length of it as 'crazy'.

Ramsbotham revealed he wanted the Bill to include the formation of an executive board consisting of the chair of the Youth Justice Board, the director-general of the Prison Service, the director of the Probation Service and a minister. The board would oversee the youth justice system.

"There must be someone responsible for everything done with young offenders. It is in the interests of the Prison Service," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice, said the government hoped the reforms contained in the Bill would rebalance the criminal justice system in favour of victims.

"Much has already been achieved in protecting the public and increasing public confidence in the justice system," she said.