Victim Information Scheme Questions

Prison Release Victim Information Scheme (PRVIS)

How can I apply to the scheme?
A: Once a sentence has been passed at court, the police officer in the case will provide you with an information leaflet which explains the scheme and which includes an application form. You should fill in the application form and post it to the PRVIS Victim's Unit. The Unit will make certain checks to ensure that your application is valid and will register you into the scheme.

Am I eligible to apply?
A: If you are a victim of crime where an offender was imprisoned for 6 months or more, you are eligible to receive information from PRVIS.
The Scheme only applies to adult (aged 18 or over) prisoners sentenced, or permanently transferred to serve their sentence in Northern Ireland. There are certain circumstances where young offenders, sentenced to a Young Offenders Centre, are included in the scheme. Those circumstances are that the young offender must have been:
- Given the equivalent of a life sentence;
- Convicted of a grave offence;
- Sentenced to detention in a Young Offenders Centre by the Crown Court.

And only when such a young offender becomes 18 will they be part of the scheme.

Can anyone else represent me?
A: Yes. You can nominate a representative to receive information on your behalf. The application form will give you the option to fill in the details of a representative who will act, or receive the information on your behalf.

What information will I receive?
A: You will receive information on:
- The month and year in which the prisoner is expected to be discharged from prison;
- Any conditions of release to be imposed; any breaches of those conditions that result in the prisoner's return to custody;
- In the case of life sentence prisoners:

• The minimum number of years which the life prisoner must serve;
• When the life prisoner is being considered for discharge; and
• The opportunity to contribute to the consideration for the prisoner's final release.

What is meant by 'temporary release'?
A: Sentenced prisoners may be granted temporary release from prison in the following circumstances:
- On compassionate grounds, for example, in cases of the serious illness or death of a family member; or
- Prior to their release, to help them prepare for their return to the community. This will generally happen towards the end of the sentence.

How can I express my views on decisions concerning temporary release?
A: When a prisoner is being considered for temporary release, you (if you are a registered victim) will be advised and given the opportunity to air any views, or register concerns you might have, via a 'representations form'. Your representation, along with the prison assessment will be considered and a decision made on whether or not to grant temporary release.

You should make your views in writing, focusing on whether the temporary release of the prisoner will have the potential of putting you at risk.

Will my written views be shared with the prisoner?
A: Yes. This is a legal requirement and allows the prisoner to make his own, fully informed case for temporary release. The only identification information that the representations' form requires, is your name. You do not have to provide details of your current address.

What temporary release information will I receive?
A: When a decision is taken on temporary release, both you and the prisoner will be informed of the decision by the prison authorities. However, by law, you will not be told of specific release dates, or locations. You will be told that a period of release has been granted within the next few weeks along with any relevant general conditions imposed on the prisoner.

How can I get in touch with the PRVIS?
A: For details on how you can contact the PRVIS, visit the Contacts Section of the walkthrough.

Probation Board for Northern Ireland Victim Information Scheme

How can I apply to the scheme?
A: If the offender has been given a custody probation order and you have already registered with the Prison Service Prisoner Release Victim Information Scheme, you will automatically be given the opportunity to be involved in the PBNI Scheme.

If you did not apply to the prison service scheme, you can still have the opportunity to register into the PBNI scheme. The Probation Board will contact you shortly after the offender in your case has been released from prison, to offer you the service again.

Where an offender receives a non custodial supervised sentence, the Probation Board will contact you to offer that service. You will be provided with an information leaflet which explains the scheme and includes an application form. If you want to register into the scheme before PBNI contacts you, you can contact the PBNI Victims Unit directly. Details can be found in the Contacts Section of the walkthrough.

Am I eligible to apply?
A: You are eligible to apply to the Probation Scheme if you have been a victim of a crime where the offender has received a sentence which requires probation supervision.

What information will I receive?
A: You can expect to receive general information about PBNI's supervision of offenders including information on sentence details, additional requirements, and about any future court sentences in relation to the relevant order. Information can be provided in writing, by telephone or in a face-to-face meeting with a Victim Liaison Officer. Information will also be provided about other organisations who may be of help to you.

How can I get in touch with the PBNI Victim Information Scheme?
A: For details on how you can contact the PBNI Victim Information Scheme, please visit the Contacts Section of the walkthrough.