Victims and Prisoners Bill
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| Long title | A Bill to make provision about victims of criminal conduct and others affected by criminal conduct; about the appointment and functions of individuals to act as independent public advocates for victims of major incidents; about the release of prisoners; about the membership and functions of the Parole Board; to prohibit certain prisoners from forming a marriage or civil partnership; and for connected purposes. |
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The Victims and Prisoners Bill is a proposed act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, introduced by the Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab, in March 2023.[1] The bill makes provision for the establishment of an Independent Advocate to support victims of major incidents, and makes changes to the parole system of England and Wales, allowing government ministers to veto the release of some prisoners. Ministers will also have the power to restrict marriage in prisons in England and Wales for those serving whole life orders.[2] The bill was introduced into Parliament on 29 March 2023.[3]
In December 2023, an amendment was added to the bill that would establish a compensation scheme for victims of the contaminated haemophilia blood products scandal. The government failed to prevent the amendment in a vote in the House of Commons, despite a three-line whip, in what was seen as a significant blow to the Sunak administration's authority.[4][5]
References[edit]
- ^ "Victims placed at heart of justice system under radical shakeup". HM Government of the United Kingdom. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ Russell, Rachel (29 March 2023). "Ministers can veto prisoners' parole in Victims and Prisoners Bill". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ "Raab gives himself power to veto prisoners' release and ban inmates getting married". The Independent. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ "Ministers lose infected blood vote after Tory MPs revolt". BBC News. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Cowburn, Ashley (4 December 2023). "Rishi Sunak suffers humiliating Commons defeat over Infected blood scandal". The Mirror. Retrieved 5 December 2023.