Hundreds of victims left in dark about early prisoner releases, Tories say

Hundreds of victims of crime across Scotland have been “left in the dark” about early prisoner releases, according to the Scottish Conservatives.

According to figures obtained by the party via a freedom of information request, just 10 victims were notified under the victim notification scheme (VNS) of prisoners being given early release in recent weeks.

The party said with as many as 390 prisoners estimated to have been released during the same period, this means as few as 2.5% of victims appear to have been made aware of an offender being released early.

SNP ministers must ensure that the victim notification scheme always puts victims at its heart and guarantees they are fully aware of any offender being released

Scottish Conservative spokesperson for victims and community safety Sharon Dowey MSP described the VNS as “unfit for purpose”, and called for forthcoming changes to the scheme to show “common sense”.

“This flagship SNP scheme has woefully let down victims yet again,” she said.

“It is shameful that such a staggering number of victims were left in the dark while the SNP ploughed ahead and once again gave the green light to a mass early release of prisoners in recent weeks.

“Victims have been a total afterthought for soft-touch SNP ministers who have typically prioritised the needs of criminals instead.

“Their flagship VNS is unfit for purpose.

“It should be as easy as possible for victims to sign up, and for them to be notified when dangerous criminals are being released, but SNP ministers have failed to fix these issues.”

“Any planned changes to this scheme must finally show some common sense.

“SNP ministers must ensure that the VNS always puts victims at its heart and guarantees they are fully aware of any offender being released, given that is their only plan to try and solve Scotland’s prison overcrowding crisis.”

Under legislation passed in February, the release point for prisoners serving sentences of less than four years changed from 50% of their sentence to 40%, in order to relieve pressure on overcrowded prisons.

An estimated 260-390 prisoners who had served 40% of their sentence were expected to be released in three tranches across February and March.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We recognise that changing the release point for short-term prisoners has the potential to raise questions and anyone who is signed up to the victim notification schemes will be notified about their case.

“We continue to work with victim support organisations to raise awareness of early release and victims’ rights to notification and have committed to publishing information within two months following the initial release of prisoners in three tranches, including how many victims were notified of release.”