Information for victims of crime
Tuesday 25 October 2005 saw the launch of the Probation Board’s Victim Information Scheme, which will provide victims with the choice of having information about the Probation supervised Court Sentence imposed in their case.
The Scheme aims to empower victims of crime and contribute to public protection by providing relevant information about Probation supervised sentences in a manner which is accessible, understandable, respectful and supportive. PBNI’s Victim Information Scheme links with other Criminal Justice agencies and Victim organisations to provide an integrated service to victims when a Probation supervised sentence is imposed.
Noel Rooney, PBNI Chief Executive, said at the launch at the Waterfront Hall: “This is an important milestone for the Probation Board and represents a significant and positive development in our relationship with victims of crime. It is an exciting and challenging Scheme that enables us to inform victims as to what a Probation Supervised Sentence requires of the offender.”
The Scheme is part of a Criminal Justice System which continues to increase its responsiveness to victims.
The development of the Victim Information Scheme was driven by the Criminal Justice Review and is informed by: consultation with criminal justice and victim’s organisations; developing practice in England and Wales; and local PBNI research on the views of victims on how the PBNI VIS should operate (2004). This and other research has confirmed that victims often feel isolated from the Criminal Justice System and do not understand it. They welcome the opportunity to have information about the outcome of their case.
Also speaking at the launch, Susan Reid, Chief Executive of Victim Support NI, said; “So many people who have directly experienced the criminal justice system say the key need of victims of crime is information. For this reason VSNI really welcomes the establishment of the Probation Victim Information Scheme, and the opportunity to link our services to give even greater benefit to victims of crime.”
Victims will be advised about the PBNI Scheme and given the opportunity to become involved. This will be done in partnership with PSNI, the Public Prosecution Service and the Prison Service Prisoner Release Scheme.
All of the PBNI research confirmed that victims want information and the option of having information provided in a range of ways. The information the Scheme will provide includes:
- the type of supervision the supervised offender is subject to. PBNI supervise approximately 2,700 new orders each year including Probation Orders, Custody Probation Orders, Community Service Orders, Combination Orders, Juvenile Justice Centre Orders and Supervised Sex offender Licenses.
- the length of the period of supervision.
- information on any additional requirement or conditions of sentence. For example PBNI currently runs 9 offender group work programmes. These include for example a 'Men overcoming Domestic Violence' programme and the IMPACT car crime programme.
- any further court sentence in relation to the order, for example following revocation or breach.
- also very importantly PBNI recognise that our role in this Scheme is to provide information to victims. However, victims have many needs, including the need for emotional or practical support and compensation. We will therefore be providing information to victims about the range of other information and support services available to them through Criminal Justice organisations, Victim Support and others.
PBNI Victims Unit contact details – www.pbni.org.uk/victims or call 028 90321972.