Support available for victims and witnesses affected by changes to prison release arrangements

Support available for victims and witnesses affected by changes to prison release arrangements

Partners are being reminded of the support available for victims and witnesses across York and North Yorkshire, particularly those who may be affected by changes to prison release arrangements under the Progression Model.

The Progression Model introduces changes to the way some sentences are served, including changes to automatic release points for some offenders. Support and information are available both locally and nationally for victims who are affected by, or concerned about, these changes.

Supporting Victims Hub

The Supporting Victims Hub provides a single point of contact for victims across York and North Yorkshire.

Telephone: 01609 643100
Email: supportingvictims@northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk
Website: Contact Supporting Victims

The Hub can provide:

• needs and risk assessments
• information, advice and practical support
• referrals to and coordination of specialist services
• access to support whether or not the crime has been reported to the police.

Where appropriate, and with the victim’s consent, professionals can also make referrals directly or share contact details with the Hub so that the team can proactively make contact.

Specialist support available locally

Through Supporting Victims, people can be connected with a range of commissioned specialist services, including:

• Independent Victim Adviser (IVA) services
• domestic abuse support services through IDAS
• Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) services
• Restorative Justice services
• counselling and talking therapies
• Women’s Alliance and wider Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) provision
• Independent Road Victim Adviser (IRVA) services.

Further information is available through the York and North Yorkshire commissioned victim services.

National support for victims affected by early release

National support is also available for victims affected by changes to offender release arrangements.

The National Offender Release Helpline, delivered by Victim Support, provides additional support:

Telephone: 0808 168 9280
Website: Victim Support

The Government has also committed additional funding for victim support services, alongside measures intended to strengthen local capacity and support for victims as the Progression Model is implemented.

Please share with colleagues and partners

Partners are encouraged to share this information with colleagues and agencies who work with victims and witnesses at any stage of the criminal justice process, so that people affected by the changes know where they can access appropriate support.