Less than one in four Scots crime victims have signed up to key support scheme
FEWER than one in four crime victims have signed up to a key support scheme, new figures show.
And campaigners last night called for an overhaul of the system, which provides alerts on the release of violent lags.
It is meant to provide info on offenders caged for 18 months or more. But despite 1,973 jail terms of that length being handed down in 2018-19, latest stats show only 456 people registered for updates in that 12-month period.
Kate Wallace, chief exec of Victim Support Scotland, said: "The scheme can make a real difference to victims of crime and their families.
"Knowing when a perpetrator is to be released can help them prepare and take steps to ensure they feel safe.
"But the current system is complicated to understand and administer.
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"Often people are asked about joining at an unsuitable time when they are most traumatised. And this is often not revisited at a later, more suitable date.
"There are also restrictions on which members of the family can apply in certain circumstances. This can put a burden on some victims."
Ms Wallace added: "We've been calling for it to be modernised so that victims are better supported at the crucial time of a perpetrator's release from jail."
The Victim Notification Scheme, set up in 2008, is managed by the Scottish Prison Service.
The Crown Office is meant to make initial contact with victims or bereaved next-ofkin. In some cases they can write to the Parole Board or prison chiefs.
Last night Tory shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said: "These figures show too many victims aren't receiving even the most basic updates regarding their case and, in many cases, the perpetrator.
"The Justice Secretary must address this oversight."
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The Crown Office said the scheme doesn't apply to all jail term over 18 months.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "All eligible victims can make an informed decision on whether to sign up. Not all may want to be informed of a prisoner's release as they could find this re-traumatising."
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