Blackburn Magistrates’ Court opened its doors to the public as part of Inside Justice Week. We took the opportunity to tour the cells and ask magistrates their thoughts on the criminal justice system.

MANY times I’ve sat in a cold courtroom, pen poised, waiting for the accused to slope up out of the cells and into the glass dock.

You hear the clunk and the click of metal locks turning as a guard leads the defendant upstairs.

Blackburn Magistrates’ Court allowed the public, local dignitaries and other guests – including the Lancashire Telegraph – to make that same journey, only without the handcuffs.

As part of an open day, staff and magistrates were on hand to give people a rare insight into the criminal justice system at a local level.

With so much scrutiny on the justice system, magistrates have progressed from making school visits to attending neighbourhood and PACT meetings to explain their decisions.

The open day was a continuation of that theme, enabling more transparency.

Chairman of the bench, Stan Alcock said: “Criticism of magistrates’ sentences does hurt, especially when they are following rules set by people other than magistrates.

“We can only do what the legal system says.

"Magistrates courts deal with summary offences, such as public order, and ‘triable either way’ indictable offences such as theft.

"They can very rarely hand down more than six months in prison for one offence, 12 months in total. If they deem their sentencing powers are not enough, they send the case to Crown Court.

Mr Alcock, a retired deputy head of Darwen Vale High School, and a magistrate for more than 15 years, says many people don’t realise it’s an unpaid position.

I’m taken on a tour of the Northgate building, which dates back to 1912, via court number three where a group of scouts are enthralled in a mock trial.

Magistrate of 20 years Vanessa Townson is my guide. We drop down through the dock into the underground corridors, past a doorway leading to court number one.

Next to it is a laminated reminder to anyone considering a last-ditch bid for freedom.

It says: “To attempt to escape or aid an escape could put you inside for 10 years. Is it worth it?”

Now, I’ve seen the film Green Mile and spent a fascinating day in Alcatraz, and Blackburn’s Victorian holding cells aren’t quite as rich in colour, or history.

But they do have their own morbid appeal. I meet visitor Clitheroe town mayor, Coun Mary Robinson, in a barren cell with only a stainless steel toilet, wooden bench and her consort for company.

She says: “We all hear about court, but unless you are involved with it, you don’t realise what a wonderful job magistrates do.

"It’s often a thankless task.”

As we emerge from the depths of the court, Mrs Townson reminds me: “The public often say we should give criminals longer sentences, but we do have to follow strict guidelines.

“Today is about increasing public awareness of how the justice system works.”

I agree that while soft sentences do make occasional headlines – and rightly so in many situations – there is a lot of invaluable yet under-rated work that goes on behind the scenes to keep the system on track.