The Victim Contact Scheme is a service run in England and Wales by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).

It provides support and information to victims of serious crimes after an offender has been convicted and sentenced. Bereaved close relatives of someone who has been killed as a result of a crime may also join the scheme.

You may be eligible to join the Victim Contact Scheme if:

• you have experienced a sexual or violent crime, or are bereaved by homicide and
• the offender is sentenced to 12 months or more in prison.

If you decide to join the scheme, a victim liaison officer will contact you to tell you the following information:

• how long the offender will be in prison
• if there are any changes to their sentence
• when they’ll be released
• if they’re up for parole, and when the parole hearing will take place
• how you can make a Victim Personal Statement for the Parole Board if you want to, and how to challenge a parole decision
• how to apply for a ‘licence condition’ – this stops the offender doing certain things when they’re released, such as contacting you.

You can find more information about the Victim Contact Scheme on the GOV.UK website.