Key facts
- A new law allowing early prisoner releases is set to take effect in September.
- Ministers have been warned about the law's risks to abuse victims.
- Victims and domestic abuse commissioners are concerned about a lack of safeguards.
- They cite broken promises on victim support.
- They also cite concerns about risk assessments for early release.
- These groups are urging a pause on the Sentencing Act.
- The act is known as the Sentencing Act.
Ministers have received warnings that the upcoming Sentencing Act, which allows for early prisoner releases, poses a risk to abuse victims due to insufficient safeguards. The law is slated to be implemented in September. Victims and domestic abuse commissioners have called for a halt to the act, pointing to unfulfilled promises concerning victim support and the adequacy of risk assessments for early release candidates. They express concern that without proper protections, individuals who have been subjected to abuse could be left vulnerable. The push for a pause highlights a significant gap in the current legislative framework, with advocates arguing that victim safety has not been adequately prioritized in the planning for these early releases.