Established 25 years ago, the CCRC is the independent body responsible for investigating alleged miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In the last year, 57 cases referred back to the courts by the CCRC were overturned, bringing the total number of convictions or sentences overturned thanks to CCRC referral to 540.

It received a total of 1,198 applications in the period from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, an increase of almost five per cent from the previous year. Around 40 per cent came from people who still could, and in most cases should, appeal directly to the courts.

Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of applications came from serving prisoners, with the CCRC asked to investigate cases from inmates in 119 of the 145 prisons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

More than a fifth (22 per cent) of applicants reported having a disability, and just under a quarter (24 per cent) identified as an ethnic minority.

There were noteworthy increases in applications from women (from six to eight per cent) and those aged under 21 (from two to three per cent).

The report also outlines the CCRC’s overhaul of its IT systems and processes to make it easier for people to apply for a free review of criminal convictions. People can now apply directly online or by calling a new freephone number.

Karen Kneller, the CCRC’s chief executive and accounting officer, said: “This has been a year of many changes, including the lifting of Covid restrictions – meaning we have been able to once again visit prisons and speak to potential applicants. To help people access our free service more easily, we have also launched a new website.

“We have also moved into a new office in Birmingham. Our new IT system gives us incredible agility to do most roles remotely, but the office serves as the heart of the organisation.

“One thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to finding and investigating miscarriages of justice, and the impact of our work has been clear with dozens of convictions and sentences being overturned following CCRC referral.”