Victim Notification Scheme: guidance for victims of crime

Making Representations

Victims (or, in certain circumstances, the victim’s representative) have the opportunity to make written representations about the release of the offender on licence and about potential licence conditions as well as about the first time the offender’s detention in hospital is suspended without supervision.
A licence contains specific conditions which allow prisoners to serve part of their sentence under supervision in the community. If a licence condition is breached they may be liable to be recalled to custody by Scottish Ministers or the Parole Board.

In cases where the offender is in prison and is serving a sentence of life imprisonment you can choose to make these representations either in writing or in person, whichever you are most comfortable with.

If you choose to make your representations in person, you will be invited to make them to a member of the Parole Board for Scotland at a time and place convenient to you. The member will not be sitting on the tribunal panel making the decision about the offender’s release and will be there only to take your representation. You can also arrange for your representation to be taken over the telephone. These will then be transcribed and agreed with you before being considered.