Overview

The Victims and Prisoners Bill makes significant changes to victim support, prisoner release processes, and establishes a compensation scheme for victims of contaminated blood. It strengthens victim rights, improves information sharing, and introduces new reporting and review mechanisms.

Description

Improved Victim Support

The bill strengthens the victims' code, mandating service provision unless there are good reasons not to. It introduces a system for collecting victim feedback and requires regular reports on code compliance. Mandatory training on the code is also introduced for relevant staff across various organisations.

Prisoner Release and Oversight

The bill modifies procedures for the release of prisoners, particularly those serving preventive sentences (sentences imposed to protect the public), giving the High Court greater oversight. New reporting requirements are also established for the Secretary of State concerning the rehabilitation and release of these prisoners.

Infected Blood Compensation Scheme

The bill establishes the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) to administer a compensation scheme for individuals infected with blood-borne illnesses due to contaminated blood products. The scheme will make lump-sum or periodic payments to eligible individuals, with provisions for review and appeal. The IBCA will also receive funds to cover payments and will be subject to various reporting and transparency requirements.

Data Protection and Information Sharing

The Bill introduces provisions regarding data sharing, specifically limiting the use of victim and witness data for immigration purposes without consent and adding new right to erasure of personal data from those who have made malicious allegations.

Other Key Changes

The bill includes provisions for notifying schools of children suspected to be victims of domestic abuse, and it introduces a "duty of candour" for public authorities in relation to major incidents. The bill further amends various Acts to reflect changes in victim support and prisoner release processes.

Government Spending

The bill will lead to increased government spending due to the establishment of the IBCA and its associated functions, including compensation payments, staff costs, and administrative expenses. The exact financial implications are not detailed in the provided text, but they are expected to be substantial given the scope of the infected blood compensation scheme and the increased oversight of victim services and prisoner releases.

Groups Affected

• Victims of crime: Enhanced rights, improved access to services, and a new mechanism for feedback and reporting.
• Prisoners serving preventive sentences: Changes to release processes and increased judicial oversight.
• Individuals affected by contaminated blood: Eligibility for compensation through the new scheme.
• Law enforcement agencies, Crown Prosecution Service, probation services, health and social services, victim support services, and educational establishments: New duties and responsibilities under the victims' code and related provisions.
• The High Court and Parole Board: Increased involvement in prisoner release decisions.
• The Secretary of State, Attorney General, Welsh Ministers, Scottish Ministers, and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland: New reporting and oversight responsibilities.

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