VICTIMS should be allowed to explain in person the impact a crime has had on them at the point of sentencing and when parole decisions are being made, according to an amendment to be proposed by MSPs tomorrow.
Some members of the Justice Committee also want to see a personal visit for victims to explain that a perpetrator is due to be released, rather than the current system of written notification.
Graeme Pearson MSP, Labour Justice spokesman, wants to see the amendments included in the Victims and Witnesses Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament.
"Victims should be heard when perpetrators are being sentenced and at the time of parole," said Mr Pearson. "Under the victim notification scheme, the prison writes a letter out to the house of the victim telling them that the man who killed their daughter is about to get their freedom and if they have any questions there is a phone number to call.
"That takes the whole family back to the murder again. There should be a human being who speaks to the family to explain. We could use victim support to explain the options to them rather than a cold letter arriving through the door. "
Victims are currently allowed to write an impact statement for the courts.
The UK signed up to an EU victims directive last year, which established the right of victims who chose to take part in restorative justice to "safe and competent restorative-justice services".
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