After sentencing and release
If you are worried about your safety now, call 999.
Contact police if someone contacts you when they should not, threatens you or breaches a condition intended to protect you. If you have a Victim Liaison Officer, tell them as soon as possible.
If you are worried about someone being released from prison or are receiving unwanted contact from a prisoner, contact the HMPPS Victims Helpline on 0300 060 6699 or email [email protected].
Understanding the sentence
After sentencing, the Witness Care Unit should tell you the outcome, the sentence and a short explanation of what it means.
If you have questions about the sentence, ask the Witness Care Unit or the Crown Prosecution Service. If you are eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme, your Victim Liaison Officer can explain what the sentence may mean for future release.
A prison sentence does not always show the exact date when someone will leave prison. Release arrangements depend on the sentence, offence, custody history and the rules that apply to that case.
In some qualifying cases, you may be able to ask the Attorney General to consider whether a sentence was unduly lenient. This route is limited to certain offences and has a short deadline. Ask for advice as soon as possible.
Getting information about release
You may be eligible for the Victim Contact Scheme if the person was convicted of certain violent or sexual offences and received a prison sentence of 12 months or more, or in some cases was detained in hospital.
You may also be eligible in some cases involving serious driving offences or controlling or coercive behaviour.
If you are eligible, you should be referred to the scheme after sentencing. You can choose whether to take part.
A Victim Liaison Officer is your Probation Service contact through the scheme. They can explain the sentence, keep you informed at important stages and discuss what information may be available about release.
If you think you may be eligible but have not been contacted, email [email protected].
Your Victim Liaison Officer
Your Victim Liaison Officer can help you understand:
- the sentence and relevant release process;
- important stages, such as consideration for release or transfer to open conditions;
- how to update your contact, safety and communication needs;
- what information can be shared about release;
- licence conditions that may relate to your protection;
- parole processes and a new or updated Victim Personal Statement; and
- recall to prison or hospital, where relevant.
You may not be able to receive every detail about prison, release or another person. Information can be limited where sharing it could cause harm, prejudice proceedings or be unlawful.
Ask for conditions to help protect you
If you are in the Victim Contact Scheme, you can make representations about conditions that relate to your safety or protection when the person is released.
For example, you may ask for a no contact condition or an exclusion zone.
Your Victim Liaison Officer can help you explain what you need and why. The decision maker will consider whether a condition is necessary and proportionate. A requested condition is not guaranteed to be imposed.
Tell your Victim Liaison Officer if a request could reveal where you live, work or travel. They can discuss how to raise the concern as safely as possible.
If a case is being considered by the Parole Board
Not every release involves the Parole Board. If a parole review applies in your case, your Victim Liaison Officer should explain the process.
You may be able to:
- submit or update a Victim Personal Statement;
- ask to read or pre record your statement; or
- apply to observe a private parole hearing.
A Victim Personal Statement explains how the crime has affected you. It can help the Parole Board understand relevant safety concerns and victim related licence conditions.
The Parole Board decides whether you may read or pre record your statement.
Observing a hearing is a separate application. If your application is approved, you will normally watch remotely. You cannot ask questions or take part in the hearing, and you may be excluded from sensitive parts of it.
Read the guide to parole for victims of crime for more information.
What information you may receive
If you are in the Victim Contact Scheme, you may be told about important stages and information relating to release. The information you receive depends on the case and what can lawfully and safely be shared.
Do not rely on the sentence length to work out a release date. Ask your Victim Liaison Officer to explain what it means in your case.
Tell your Victim Liaison Officer if your contact details, safety needs or communication needs change.
About this information
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