Victims of crime in England and Wales will be able to attend parole hearings to decide whether a prisoner can be released from jail.
The reform comes into force today and is part of an initiative to boost confidence in the justice system.
It comes after a pilot scheme in the South West and Greater Manchester found victims were “reassured” to see the process of offenders being held to account before the Parole Board made a decision whether to release them.
The Parole Board assesses whether prisoners can be safely released from jail into the community and on what licence conditions, such as curfews. The independent body also recommends whether inmates can be moved to an open prison.
One victim known as Anna, who attended a parole hearing during the pilot initiative, said witnessing the care taken by the panel gave her “genuine confidence” in how the perpetrator would be managed once released from custody.
It “helped us draw a line under the whole chapter and move on”, she said.
Victims will not be able to observe the entire hearing as certain evidence, such as on risk management, must be held in private.
The process also hears evidence on the offender’s behaviour in prison and the work they are doing to stop committing further crimes.
Victims’ commissioner Baroness Newlove said: “This is a vital step towards lifting the lid on a system that has long felt closed off to victims, helping them feel more meaningfully involved rather than bystanders to proceedings.”
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Ministers are expected to be given the power to refer certain cases to the High Court for a second check under new measures expected to be introduced later this year.
Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said: “For too long, victims have been locked out of the parole system.
“As part of our plan for change, we are now giving victims the right to see how offenders are challenged when up for parole.
“This government is improving our justice system to ensure it serves victims better.”
The Parole Board’s CEO, Cecilia French said: “I understand just how important access to information is to victims and survivors.
“This is a crucial step towards achieving this and will play a part in our wider objective of achieving greater transparency of parole, while ensuring the process remains fair and effective.”
