A charity has insisted that every victim should have access to information regarding the early release of individuals who committed crimes against them. Victims’ Support’s head expressed concern over the limited notification provided to those impacted by the early release program, particularly highlighting the distress caused to survivors of sexual abuse upon learning of their offenders’ earlier release dates.
Katie Kempen, Chief Executive of Victim Support, emphasized the need for victims to be prioritized and informed about changes in their offenders’ sentences promptly. She stressed that victims should not be kept in the dark and urged the government to ensure that all affected individuals can easily ascertain the implications of any alterations to the offenders’ sentences.
Currently, victims eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme (VCS) can receive information about changes in offenders’ sentences, specifically for violent and sexual crimes resulting in a year or more of imprisonment. However, statistics from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) reveal that a significant portion of criminals serving immediate jail terms are sentenced to less than a year, leaving many victims unaware of potential early releases.
The charity cautioned that the lack of transparency regarding early releases could erode trust in the justice system. It called on the government to guarantee that all victims have access to information about sentence modifications and their implications.
The Ministry of Justice stated that the early release initiative aims to address prison overcrowding issues by introducing stringent measures for qualifying individuals, such as electronic monitoring and enhanced probation services. Eligible prisoners can now be released after serving a percentage of their sentences, with the earliest release date for certain violent or sexual offenders moved up to 50%.
Reiterating a commitment to public safety and victim support, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson emphasized the strict rules imposed on released offenders, including movement restrictions and increased probation resources. Victims opting into the Victim Contact Scheme will be notified of offender releases, reflecting the government’s efforts to improve communication with victims.
Ministers have engaged with victim support organizations to enhance services providing victims with information about offenders’ releases. The government pledged to continue collaborating with these organizations to ensure victims have a clear pathway to access relevant information.
