Victims and Prisoners Act 2024
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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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History of passage through Parliament |
The Victims and Prisoners Act is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, introduced by the Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab, in March 2023.[1]
The Act 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 legislation that establishes 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]
The Victims and Prisoners Act became one of the final pieces of legislation passed into law by the parliament elected in 2019 before it was dissolved prior to the 2024 general election.[6] One of its first uses was in August 2024 to prevent the serial killer Levi Bellfield from entering into a civil partnership with his girlfriend.[7]
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ Richards, Matthew (24 May 2024). "Jade Ward: Law passed to restrict killer parents' rights". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Levi Bellfield: Serial killer blocked from marriage under new law".