Victims Commissioner calls for honesty

Baroness Newlove, the victim's commissioner has demanded honesty from the courts with regards to offenders' sentences. She has spoken out about courts misleading victims about the actual length of sentences that offenders will serve.

 

Sentences usually reflect the maximum amount of time served; however, many offenders only end up serving half of the full sentence due to good behaviour. 

 

She told The Daily Telegraph: "In cases where the offender is handed a determinate sentence, many victims hear the 'headline' sentence but do not appreciate that the offender is likely to be released either at the halfway point or two-thirds point of the sentence."

 

This week, as she is stepping down as commissioner, she will propose to the courts that they need to be more accurate about the reality of the sentences served. 

 

Lady Newlove has also raised concerns about victims losing confidence in the justice system due to miscommunication or lack of it. She has cited cases where victims are made aware of offenders being released via an 'out-of-the-blue' email. 

 

It has also been noted that in many cases, the courts have sentenced offenders to indefinite imprisonment, only for this to later be appealed and offenders being released as short at two years later. In these cases, Lady Newlove has urged the courts to improve communication with victims to prepare them for these eventualities. 

 

Other sources have also supported this view. "It is important to offenders, victims and the public that sentencing is efficient and transparent. Errors and delay in sentencing not only cost money but also impact upon public confidence in the criminal justice system. The current law of sentencing is inefficient and lacks transparency." 

 

The topic of sentencing is extremely complex due to modern sentencing procedures. This could undermine public confidence, especially for victims involved. 

 

Nottingham Crime Solicitors