Victims of violent crime or sexual assault will be told when their attacker is to be freed from jail under proposed new rules
- If the offender is jailed for a year, victim will be notified of changes in custody
- They will be told when the offender is moved to an open jailed or to be released
- Victims of foreign criminals will also be updated on when the offender’s deportation is due to take place
Victims of violent or sexual crime will get the automatic right to know when their attacker is to be released from jail.
In cases where the offender is jailed for 12 months or more, their victim will be told when the criminal is moved to an open jail or considered for release.
Victims of foreign criminals will also be updated on when the offender’s deportation is due to take place.
In cases where the offender is jailed for 12 months or more, their victim will be told when the criminal is moved to an open jail or considered for release
The measures are set out in a new draft version of the Victims’ Code, published by ministers today.
Eligible victims will be automatically referred to the Victim Contact Scheme, which gives updates on offenders as they serve their sentence.
Currently, fewer than half of victims or their next of kin sign up for the scheme.
It will also give victims greater flexibility over when and how a Victim Personal Statement can be made.
Eligible victims will be automatically referred to the Victim Contact Scheme, which gives updates on offenders as they serve their sentence
A new victims’ law further expanding their rights is due to be published later this year.
The draft code will be consulted on for six weeks, ministers said.
- Yobs caught carrying a blade on two separate occasions could be hit with a new ‘knife Asbo’ even if they have not been convicted.
The so-called Knife Crime Prevention Orders, being piloted by the Metropolitan Police from April 6, will apply to children as young as 12, as well as to adults.