Refuge responds to new perpetrator recall measures

Responding to the new perpetrator recall measures announced by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Ellie Butt, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Refuge, said: 

“Refuge has consistently raised concerns about the serious safety risks posed to survivors of domestic abuse as a result of prison early release schemes like the SDS40. While we recognise the need to ease pressure on prison estates, this latest development – in which recalled offenders will be released after only 28 days – is another disappointing reminder of how survivors’ safety is not a priority when decisions are being made.

“Domestic abuse is a pattern of coercion and control that is often perpetrated over many years. While perpetrators may be released with licence conditions, including avoiding contact with survivors, they frequently breach conditions to continue their campaign of abuse.

“Now, under new rules, if a perpetrator were to breach these conditions and be recalled to prison, they could be free to offend again in less than a month. When so few perpetrators are recalled for breaching conditions, this represents a further weakening of protections for survivors. This will likely cause significant worry among survivors, and it is particularly alarming that these measures were introduced without consulting the Domestic Abuse Commissioner or the VAWG sector, and without publishing an impact assessment.

“Even though released offenders will be monitored by the Probation Service, we have strong concerns about probation service’s ability to adequately monitor domestic abuse perpetrators. When probation officers miss opportunities to correctly assess and manage the risk of harm posed to survivors, this can have devastating, and sometimes fatal consequences.

“Following last week’s introduction of the Victims and Courts Bill, we welcome the Government’s plans to expand the scope of the Victim Contact Scheme to all survivors of domestic abuse so that they will know if and when their perpetrator is being released. However, we have little confidence that this information will be consistently shared with survivors during a 28-day recall period.

“Refuge reiterates our call for all perpetrators of domestic abuse and VAWG related offences to be exempt from early release schemes and other prison overcrowding measures due to the high risk of harm they pose to survivors of domestic abuse.

“For any survivors who are concerned about the early release scheme, Refuge’s 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available on 0808 2000 247 all year round, and confidential live chat is accessible online via www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.”