Victims given right to address parole hearings of criminals

The Herald 28/04/2010 >> article

VIEWPOINT: Sacro broadly supports this initiative which has the capacity to empower victims by providing evidence to Parole Hearings

We are aware that some victims in England are already able to make oral statements to Parole Boards. We would be interested to learn more about this with particular reference to the evaluation(s) of any such project. It would be really important for victims not to be “re-victimised” as a result of this process, or feel under pressure to provide evidence. It would also be important that the logistics of such provision of evidence was thought through. For example, it would not be appropriate for the victim to have to go to a prison or have to see the offender during this process. It is right and proper that the Parole Board themselves remain accountable for the decision to release any prisoner, based on sound principles underpinning risk assessment. In this respect any process would need to ensure support was given to the victim and they were provided with a full explanation as to the eventual outcome of the hearing. For example it may be that the offender has, during their sentence, undertaken a great deal of offence focussed work which has reduced their risk, which the victim would be unaware of, or fail to understand.