Greater Manchester Probation Trust

Work With Victims - Victim Liaison Scheme

As part of the Criminal Justice Service we are bound by the Victims Charter.
 
Providing care and support to victims is of the utmost importance to Greater Manchester Probation Trust. We employ highly skilled victim liaison officers across the area who contact all victims, survivors and next of kin of serious sexual and violent criminal offences where the offender has been sentenced to 12 months or more imprisonment.
 
Our officers provide a sympathetic approach when making contact with a victim of crime. The contact will initially be by letter, telephone, text or email, and will offer the victim a face-to-face appointment at their home address, or at any other suitable venue. The initial contact will explain the victim's right to decline contact and the right to change their mind and decide to take up contact at a later date.
 
At the interview the Victim Liaison Officer will:
  • Explain the rights of the individual and the information they can provide to the Criminal Justice process.
  • Respond to the strong emotions which the victim has about the offence, sentence, and court process.
  • Provide information about the sentencing process, for example, the type of sentence, prison category A-D, sentence length and key dates of sentence.
  • Provide information about the likely timescale for considering release on licence or temporary licence
  • Provide general information about the custodial process for the offender and supervision after release
  • Explain the individual's right to confidentiality.
  • Assess the risk of re-victimisation.
  • Seek to obtain views for inclusion in the preparation of parole reports
  • Offer the opportunity of being contacted at stages when the offender is in custody and for having a say about the arrangements for release from prison.

In addition to the above in Lifer cases, the Victim Liaison Officer will:

  • Inform of the Tariff / Minimum sentence.
  • Inform of Reviews.
Victim Liaison Officers maintain contact and will  respond to any requests for information during the sentence period. Repeat contact will be arranged as and when required.
 
 
Please click here to view the Feedback from Victims page