173.Section 53 amends section 17 of the 2003 Act. That section gives persons entitled to receive information under section 16 the right to make representations about the potential release on licence of the relevant offender. It also gives such persons the right to be told whether or not the Parole Board has recommended or directed release, whether any release is to be subject to conditions, and whether the terms of any such conditions relate to contact with the victim or their family. Section 53 provides that the victim must also be told the reasons why a decision to direct or recommend release or to impose conditions in relation to release has been made.
Crown Application Part 3 – Victims’ Rights to Receive Information Section 53 – release on licence: reasons for decisions