Irish Prison Service - Supporting Victims of Crime

The Irish Prison Service is conscious of the harmful, potentially devastating, consequences of crime on victims. Where victims make their views known to the Service, they are always taken into account when making sentence management decisions, such as granting temporary release.

While it is appropriate that the sensitivities and concerns of victims of crime should be carefully considered, other sometimes conflicting factors, such as the rehabilitation of offenders and their reintegration into the community, must also be considered and a balance struck.

When victims of crime request, the Prison Service Victim Liaison Officer will enter into direct contact with them to inform them of any significant development in the management of the perpetrator’s sentence as well as any impending release. Such significant developments could include temporary releases, parole board hearings, prison transfers, expected release dates, etc.

The Victim Liaison Officer will also provide victims with general information on the prison system such as the prison regime, remission on sentences and our system of parole, including the operation of the Parole Board.

It is important to note that this is a voluntary service and only those who choose to will receive the relevant information.