The UK’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a wide-ranging AI action plan aimed at modernising courts, prisons, probation services and victim support, while also managing risks to trust, fairness and human rights.
The plan, announced by James Timpson, minister for prisons, probation and reducing reoffending and the MoJ’s lead minister for AI, outlines a three-year roadmap to embed AI “responsibly and proportionately” across the justice system.
It promises to “drive better, faster, and more efficient public services” while safeguarding ethical standards and preserving judicial independence.
“AI shows great potential to help deliver swifter, fairer, and more accessible justice for all – reducing court backlogs, increasing prison capacity and improving rehabilitation outcomes,” Timpson wrote in the plan’s introduction. “But this opportunity must be seized responsibly.”
A strategic framework for AI in justice
The MoJ says it will first focus on bolstering infrastructure and oversight.
A newly formed Justice AI Unit, led by the chief AI officer, will coordinate implementation, supported by cross-departmental steering and ethical frameworks.
The department aims to enhance leadership, data capabilities and digital infrastructure while creating robust governance and commercial standards for AI deployment.
The plan also involves applying AI to specific high-impact use cases, using a “scan, pilot, scale” approach.
Pilot projects already underway include automated transcription tools to reduce admin for probation officers, AI assistants to improve call centre service delivery, and scheduling systems to optimise prison capacity.
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Plus, the ministry also plans to develop predictive models for assessing the risk of violence in custody, and personalised rehabilitation and education programmes for both staff and offenders.
Lastly, the MoJ is committing to “invest in our people” by funding training and workforce planning to upskill staff and foster AI awareness across the justice sector. It will also collaborate with legal service providers, regulators and partner agencies such as the Home Office and Crown Prosecution Service.
Balancing innovation with accountability
The plan emphasises that AI should never replace human judgment in decisions involving liberty, rights or safety, and commits to upholding judicial independence and public accountability.
The ministry outlines principles to guide its work: safety and fairness must come first; tools should be user-centred and co-developed with those who use them; and solutions should be built or procured to be reused across services where appropriate.
“AI in justice must work within the law, protect individual rights, and maintain public trust,” the plan states. “We will preserve the independence of judges, prosecutors, and oversight bodies.”
Building on a strong foundation
The MoJ claims it is well-positioned to lead this transformation. It cites its use of data teams, open-source tools such as Splink, and programmes like BOLD and Data First, which integrate cross-government datasets to create richer sources for AI insights.
The strategy also leans on the UK’s strengths in legal services as well as AI research institutions and companies, including DeepMind, OpenAI and Microsoft.
AI tools referenced in the plan include machine-learning systems, large language models and autonomous agents, all capable of analysing data and making recommendations that support human decision-making.
While initial funding has been secured and early trials are looking promising, the ministry notes that full implementation will depend on ongoing evaluation and future budgetary support.
