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More victims to benefit from notification scheme
22/02/2008
The number of victims who will benefit from being told information about their offender, including any movement or release, will more than treble from May 15, 2008.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill told Victim Support Scotland's conference that the Victim Notification Scheme - which currently covers victims of offenders sentenced to four years or more - will be expanded to victims of those sentenced to 18 months or more.
Victims of certain offences against the person will be told:
- The date of release of the offender
- If the offender dies before release, the date of the death
- If the offender is transferred to a place out with Scotland, the date of the transfer
- If the prisoner has escaped or absconded from custody
- The first time the offender becomes eligible for temporary release
- The date a prisoner is returned to custody
Mr MacAskill said:
"Our clear aim is to prevent and deter crimes. However where crime does happen we must remember that as well as punishing the perpetrator we need to support the victim.
"Many crimes have a devastating and lasting effect on their victims. They can cause upset and stress that last a long time. Victims are always the innocent party in the criminal justice system and we must treat them with respect and dignity. The victim must be protected by the system not have the injury of the crime compounded by the agony of the system.
"The Victim Notification Scheme has already helped to provide peace of mind for many victims. Making sure they are told about the release of the offender, for example, means they don't have to suffer the nasty shock and distress of seeing them on the streets without warning.
"Victims have told us that it makes a real difference and that's why I'm pleased that, as from may 15, 2008, the scheme will cover more people than ever before. Approximately 600 a year currently qualify for the scheme, we expect this to increase to nearly 2,000 a year.
"We are not stopping there. We will keep working to roll out the national victim statement scheme - to give victims a chance to tell the court about the physical, emotional and economic impact a crime had on them.
"We are also helping to deter crime, and where it does happen make sure it is dealt with as quickly as possible, by making an additional 1,000 officers available in our communities.
"We are increasing our funding of Victims Support Scotland to make sure victims get the help and support they need. By working together, I believe we can make Scotland safer and stronger."
Jim Andrews, Director of Operations at Victims Support Scotland welcomed the news that eligibility for the Victim Notification Scheme would be reduced from the current four years to 18 months. He said:
"This provides a voice for victims who currently have no redress to any comments made by the defence in summing up. We believe that it will help satisfy victims of crime in an which had been a cause of concern."
The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced a statutory scheme (to replace an existing administrative scheme) that enshrined in legislation the right of victims to receive information on the release of offenders, and to make representations to the Parole Board when it is considering conditions for release. The subordinate legislation, which commenced the relevant sections of the Act and which prescribed the offences covered by the VNS came into effect on 1 November 2004.
Although the VNS is being extended to prisoners sentenced to 18 months or more in the first instance, the scheme will be revisited in a couple of years to test the feasibility of a further expansion to victims of offenders sentenced to less than 18 months.