Victims’ Commissioner: ‘Regrettable’ some victims not told of early release of offenders

In a statement ahead of the first wave of early release, the Victims’ Commissioner said the early releases are “distressing” for many victims, while also acknowledging that the issue of overcrowded jails has “reached a tipping point, leaving the government with no easy solutions.”

However, Baroness Newlove emphasised that victim safety “must remain the absolute priority” and she urged that the probation service must be adequately resourced to manage offenders within the community.

The Victims’ Commissioner also cautioned that leaving victims in the dark could undermine their trust in the criminal justice system.

This concern arises amid revelations that victims are only automatically notified of an offender’s release under the government’s victim contact scheme if it was a violent or sexual crime for which the perpetrator was jailed for 12 months or more.

Victims who are not eligible for these notification schemes are not proactively informed about an offender’s release, nor will they be notified if the release is brought forward by the change of policy (SDS40).

“Clear and timely communication with victims is crucial to building trust and confidence,” she said. “From the beginning, I sought assurances that all impacted victims would be informed of any early release dates, affording them the opportunity to request protective measures.

“I understand this has not been possible in every case, leaving some victims unaware of their offender’s early release. While I recognise the challenges in reaching certain groups of victims, this is regrettable and must be addressed.”

The Victims’ Commissioner’s full statement follows below.

The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said:
Our prisons are at capacity and the decision has been made to release some offenders early. I know this situation is distressing for many victims who rightfully expect offenders will serve the sentence handed down by the court.

It is for others to debate how we arrived at this point. I recognise that our prisons have reached a tipping point, leaving the government with no easy solutions.  

From the outset, my focus has been on scrutinising the release arrangements with Ministers and officials and ensuring that victims’ concerns are raised at the highest levels. My priority is that victim safety is not in any way compromised.

Thorough risk assessments and robust release plans are paramount. The Probation Service will play a critical role in managing these offenders in the community and must be properly resourced to do so. It is also imperative that anyone who breaches their licence conditions must be immediately recalled to custody, regardless of pressures on prison population. This is vital for public safety and to reassure victims.

Clear and timely communication with victims is crucial to building trust and confidence. From the beginning, I sought assurances that all impacted victims would be informed of any early release dates, affording them the opportunity to request protective measures. I understand this has not been possible in every case, leaving some victims unaware of their offender’s early release. While I recognise the challenges in reaching certain groups of victims, this is regrettable and must be addressed.

As Victims’ Commissioner, I am concerned about the impact of these early releases on victims’ confidence in our justice system. It is essential that transparency and rigorous oversight guide our approach. Victim safety must remain the absolute priority.

We now owe it to victims to ensure we swiftly steer our justice system towards more sustainable footing.

ENDS

Notes for victims

• If you have been affected by this announcement and what it might mean for you, please be aware that free, confidential, and independent support is available to help you. You can find out how to access support here: https://victimandwitnessinformation.org.uk/find-support
• If you are already receiving support from a victim support service, you can also contact them as they may be able to assist you.
• If you are a victim of domestic abuse, there are national helplines that you can also contact for more immediate help and support, which do offer translation services if your first language is not English. They also operate live chat and text services.
  • 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 or https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
  • Men’s advice line for domestic abuse: 0808 8010 327 or https://mensadviceline.org.uk/
  • 24-hour National Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence helpline in Wales: 0808 8010 800 or https://www.gov.wales/live-fear-free/contact-live-fear-free
• If you were eligible for and have opted-in to the Victim Contact Scheme or Victim Notification Scheme you should contact your Victim Liaison Officer. Contact details are provided in the letters that Victim Liaison Officers send to victims. If you were contacted by a Victim Liaison Officer but decided to opt-out of either Scheme, you can change your mind and opt-in. To do so, you can email vcsenquiries@justice.gov.uk.