Victims’ views sought in parole process consultation
Date published:
A consultation focused on improving victims’ engagement in the parole process has been launched by the Department of Justice.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said:
“Whilst significant progress has been made in recent years to improve support for victims, we must continue to listen, learn and act on what matters to those directly impacted by crime.
“Victims have told us that they want to be heard, not only at the point of sentencing but throughout the offender’s journey, including in decisions about release. This consultation is an important step, as we work to strengthen victim engagement in the parole process and ensure victims’ voices and experiences can help shape how justice is delivered.
“I would encourage everyone, especially victims, their families, support organisations and practitioners to engage with this consultation and share your views and the reasons for them.”
When an offender becomes eligible for release from custody on licence, it is for Parole Commissioners to assess and decide if they remain in prison.
The proposed measures set out in the consultation include:
- Introducing a presumption that a victim will be permitted to attend the first part of a hearing to make their representations directly to the Parole Commissioners.
- Give the Department of Justice a clear power to apply to the Parole Commissioners for observers, including a victim, to attend the oral hearing.
- Allow a hearing to take place in public, where the Parole Commissioners consider that it is in the interests of justice.
- Require the Parole Commissioners to issue a summary of reasons for a decision to a victim within a two-week period of it being requested.
- Place a statutory requirement on the Department of Justice to submit victims’ representations to the Parole Commissioners.
The 13 week-long consultation is open until 22 May 2026 and can be accessed on the Department’s website and NI Direct’s Citizen Space
Notes to editors:
- The applicable rules are found at: The Parole Commissioners’ Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2009/82/contents/made
- For the purposes of this consultation, we define a victim as someone who has registered with the Prisoner Release Victim Information Scheme (PRVIS) https://www.pbni.org.uk/victim-information-scheme#toc-4
- The final decision on a victim’s engagement in any parole review rests with the Parole Commissioners. They are an independent body and have to consider a range of factors when deciding if an offender is suitable for release.
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