Victims of crimes will soon be able to request to be automatically informed about when a convict is granted prison leave or released entirely from prison. For serious and violent crimes, victims will always be contacted by the prison's services.
Until now, clerks would update victims on the execution of a sentence of a convict, but the exact system varied between judicial districts and was not standardised. “From now on, victims will be systematically informed of their rights during the execution of a sentence,” Minister of Justice Vincent Van Qucikenborne said in a press release.
These new charges will come into effect on 1 September. From then on, when a sentence has been pronounced by a judge, civil parties to the case will receive a letter explaining the right to information.
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A “victim’s file” will detail how they can exercise their rights, such as asking to be informed about early release requests or authorisations to leave prison. Victims will also be able to request to view the conditions for release, such as contact bans.
This new victim’s file will include simplified language and will be made more accessible, following recommendations approved by French-speaking Minister Valérie Glatigny.
Belgium is pushing to streamline and digitise documents relating to criminal cases. The Belgian government recently launched its JustConsult platform, which will grant victims of crimes greater access to their case files.
