For the last 2 years, since the introduction of the government’s Early Release Scheme, the Foundation has pressed the government for answers and clarity on its intentions and potential risk to victims.
Yesterday Tim Edwards met with the Lord Chancellor Alex Norris MP to discuss the future of the ERS and what safeguards are in place to protect victims and families affected by the scheme. The meeting was very productive and the Lord Chancellor was very agreeable to the fact that the new system does not work alongside parts of the old system. The meeting was also a chance for the Foundation to present a proposal for a pilot scheme called ‘Victim to Voice’ that will empower victims and families to be heard and not treated as an afterthought.
This has taken years to get to the very top decision makers and the Prime Minister is hopefully behind us - as it was he who insisted we meet with the Lord Chancellor. Still a long way to go, but we’re getting there, and our motto has always been “giving up is not an option” - so we keep going!
