Sarah Champion MP Welcomes Steps to Improve Communication with Victims of Crime

Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, has welcomed the Government’s recognition that existing procedures to ensure that victims of crime are properly notified that offenders are being considered for transfer to open conditions or release from prison are failing.

Sarah has campaigned extensively to highlight failures with the existing system following constituency cases. She regards the Government’s acknowledgement of these as a significant victory for the rights of victims of crime.

Victims who have signed up to the Victim Contact Scheme must be notified in advance that their offender is being considered for transfer to open conditions. However, Sarah has supported two constituents in less than a year, both of whom were failed to be notified until after a decision had already been made.

In a letter to Sarah, Alex Chalk MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Justice, recognised failings in the previous system for notification and outlined changes to ensure that procedures are properly followed in future.

Commenting, Sarah said:

“It is hugely positive that the Government has responded to the serious concerns I have raised. Victims are routinely failing to be properly notified when their offenders are being considered for possible transfer to open conditions. That I have dealt with two remarkably similar such cases in the last year shows clearly that existing systems are deeply dysfunctional.’

‘These failures can have serious consequences for victims of crime. Imagine the trauma of seeing an offender in a supermarket when, for all you knew, they were in a cell?”

Sarah continued:

“The rights of victims of crime must always be paramount when considering releasing offenders, either permanently or on licence. The failure to properly communicate with victims risks their concerns going unheard and, potentially, failing to implement measures necessary to ensure their safety.’

‘I am pleased that the Government has listened to me, recognised these failures, and committed to improve current procedures. I hope that they will work with me in ensuring that no other victims of crime are let down as my constituents have been.”

ENDS

Notes