Victims Guidance (September 2026 v3.0)
The latest revised guidance on victims.
Applies to England and Wales
Documents
Details
This guidance has been updated to include incorporation of several guidance documents on victims and victim observers (Practice advice notes, Position Statements and Annex A on Victim Observers) and reflect legislative changes brought in by the Sentencing Act 2026 and amendments to the Parole Board Rules.
This guidance sets out information and advice for panels concerning victim involvement in cases referred to the Parole Board (“the Board”). It outlines the relevant legislation and its organisational context, summarises current policy, best practice, and highlights relevant material to assist panels in applying their duties.
It provides information about the legal duties of the Board related to victims and the key points at which victims may engage with the Board, and covers:
- Relevant legislation and policies
- The Victim Contact Scheme (VCS)
- Requesting licence conditions
- Victim Personal Statements (VPS)
- Considering the victim at the Member Case Assessment (MCA) stage
- Victims reading their VPS at parole oral hearings
- Victims observing parole oral hearings
- Routes of challenge
Following the publication of the guidance two position statements related to victim observers were issued to take account of feedback:
- Statement one provides clarity about when a victim may need to make a new observer application
- Statement two sets out a proposed change in our position on victims taking notes when observing an oral hearing.
The Parole Board has also published the following documents:
Victims and Family and Friends of Victims – parole hearings: Information Leaflet
Victim Liaison Officers – aide memoire on parole
More detailed information about considering victim related licence conditions can be found in the Guidance on Licence Conditions.
Other relevant guidance that may be helpful:
The Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Act guidance
Parole Board member guidance on Restorative Justice
Observer guidance - private hearings
More information for victims can be read here: Our Commitment to Victims of Crime