Every victim should have the right to know if the person who committed a crime against them is being released early, according to a charity’s call. Victims’ Support has expressed concern that only a small portion of those impacted by the early release program will be informed. This issue arose after survivors of sexual abuse received notifications that their abusers would be released earlier than expected.
Katie Kempen, the Chief Executive of Victim Support, emphasized the importance of prioritizing victims in the face of the prison overcrowding crisis. She highlighted the distress and fear experienced by victims upon learning that offenders could be released sooner than anticipated without their knowledge. Kempen stressed the need for all victims to easily access information about changes to offenders’ sentences.
Currently, only those eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme (VCS) can be informed of sentence modifications, particularly victims of violent and sexual crimes with sentences exceeding a year. However, Ministry of Justice (MOJ) data reveals that a significant number of offenders serving short sentences do not fall under this scheme.
The charity cautioned that the lack of transparency regarding early releases could erode trust in the justice system. They urged the government to ensure that all victims are promptly informed about any changes to offenders’ sentences and the implications for them.
The Ministry of Justice explained that early releases were implemented to address prison capacity issues by November. Those eligible for early release will face stringent restrictions, including electronic monitoring, and enhanced probation services.
Under the new regulations, qualified prisoners can be released after serving a third of their sentence, with the earliest release date for violent or sexual offenders serving over four years now set at 50%.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving the prison crisis by expanding capacity and reforming sentencing. They assured that dangerous offenders are not eligible for early release, and stringent measures are in place for released individuals to uphold public safety.
Victims participating in the Victim Contact Scheme will receive notifications about offender releases. The government underscored the intensified supervision of released inmates, with immediate return to prison for rule violations.
Ministers are dedicated to establishing a service that enables victims to seek information about offenders’ releases. Recent discussions with victim support organizations indicate ongoing collaboration with the government on this matter.