KENT PROBATION © 2010

KENT PROBATION

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WORK WITH VICTIMS

Protection and support of victims of crime is a top priority for Kent Probation. Under the Criminal Justice Court Services Act 2000, the victim of a serious crime where the offender is sentenced to a term of imprisonment for 12 months or more for a violent or sexual offence, has a statuary right to be given information about the offender and his eventual release. The Probation Service has a statuary duty to contact all such victims.Kent Probation is required to contact the victims or their family within two months of the sentence being passed. We are also required to contact victims of those persons already serving sentences of four years or more who have been sentenced some time ago and before these requirements were enacted.

The reason for the contact is:1. To give the victim or their family information about prison sentences in general and how the prisoner can proceed through the system.2. To ask the victim or their family whether they would like to be kept informed when the prisoner is finally released or if he is eligible for temporary release beforehand.3.. To check whether the victim or their family have any concerns or anxieties that they would like taken into account when the prisoner’s temporary or final release is being considered.4. To give the victim or their family a contact point within the local Probation Service.5. To explain how any information that is provided will be used.Kent Probation has a Victim Liaison Service that covers the Kent and Medway area and undertakes this work.

Domestic Violence