Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Deferred
Paragraph: 65
Amend Victims’ Code to ensure tailored information on sentencing and ULS scheme.
Recommendation
The Victims’ Code sets out that victims of crime are entitled to be given information about the outcome of the case and any appeals. The Government should ensure that victims of crime and bereaved families receive tailored information about sentencing during the court process. The Government should amend the Victims’ Code to make clear that victims be entitled to ready access to information about how sentences are determined for offences relevant to the victim’s case, including average sentence lengths. When a sentence is handed down, victims should have ready access to information about how the sentence works. The Government should ensure that where they are 58 Public opinion and understanding of sentencing eligible, victims of crime and bereaved families should automatically be referred to accurate and clear information about the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme in a timely fashion. The information should make clear the deadline for making an application under the scheme. These changes should be made before the Victims and Prisoners Bill receives Royal Assent.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government notes existing provisions but commits only to considering changes to the Victims’ Code regarding the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme during a public consultation after the Victims and Prisoners Bill receives Royal Assent, deferring the requested amendments and timeline.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
65
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
34. As noted by the Justice Select Committee, the Victims’ Code currently sets out the information that victims and bereaved families are to be provided with following an offender’s conviction under Right 9. This details the entitlement for victims to be told about the sentence the offender has received and information about the meaning and effect of that sentence by the Witness Care Unit (WCU). This includes the provision of information about the Unduly Lenient Sentencing (ULS) Scheme where appropriate.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗