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Victims to be notified about offenders |
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Friday, 22 February 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.
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; and the date a prisoner is returned to custody.
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."
MacAskill said that the Victim Notification Scheme had already helped
to provide peace of mind for many victims, meaning they don't have to
suffer the 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," MacAskill added.
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."
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