Who does the probation service contact?
Staff have a responsibility to contact victims or victims’ families where the offender received a prison sentence of 12 months or more for a violent or sexual offence. This includes cases where a life sentence has been passed. How does it work? Staff obtain feedback from the victim about any concerns they have about their perpetrator’s proposed release. A written report, containing the victim’s views, is submitted to the Parole Board by probation staff when the board is considering an offender for release. Probation staff who work with victims do NOT have any involvement with the offender. The Victim’s Charter published by the Home Office explains the rights of people who are victims of crime. The Victim’s Charter is available on the Home Office website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/victims-charter Victim Support For details of the nearest Victim Support and Witness Service scheme Tel: 0845 30 30 900 Or visit www.victimsupport.org.uk For further information about Thames Valley’s wor
