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<p>New guidance for Probation Trusts regarding the statutory Probation Victim Contact Scheme makes clear that eligible victims who opt in to the scheme can expect to be informed of certain key stages in an offender's sentence, including the prospective date of release. The point at which this information is provided to a victim varies on a case by case basis.</p><p>Where the offender is serving a determinate sentence, the release date is fixed. Victims will be informed of the expected month of release very early following sentence and will be updated should this date change—for example, if the offender receives added days.</p><p>Where the offender is subject to discretionary release by the Parole Board, the victim will be informed early in the sentence of the month in which the offender will become eligible for consideration for release on parole, the earliest possible date of release, and given an explanation of what this means.</p><p>As the offender's parole eligibility date approaches, the victim will be told that the offender is soon to have his case considered by the Parole Board and will be given the opportunity to submit a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) to the Parole Board panel, setting out the impact of the offence on them and what the impact of release would be. A victim can also apply to the Parole Board to read their VPS in person at the Parole Board hearing. The new Victims' Code, which was published on 29 October 2013, enshrines the entitlement for victims to make a Victim Personal Statement to the Board.</p><p>The Parole Board's decision will usually be issued no later than 14 days after its consideration of the case, and the decision will be passed on to the victim(s) as soon as possible by their designated Victim Liaison Officer (VLO).</p><p>Where the Parole Board decides not to release the offender on licence, the victim will be informed of the timing of any subsequent review.</p> |