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Ian Paterson

Answer

The Security Categorisation Policy Framework requires that, when assessing a prisoner’s suitability for transfer to open conditions, which is a categorisation review, prisons must establish whether any victims are engaged with the Victim Contact Scheme and take account of any relevant victim-related considerations. Where a victim is engaged in the Scheme, their allocated Victim Liaison Officer will notify them that a re-categorisation review is taking place and seek any information they wish to provide regarding potential risks. Victims are also given the opportunity to submit representations on additional licence conditions, such as, exclusion zones or non-contact conditions. The policy is clear that a check must be undertaken on every occasion that re-categorisation is considered, as victims may choose to join the Victim Contact Scheme at any stage during an offender’s sentence.

In this case, due to a legal challenge by the offender, the prison in which he was held was required to make a fresh decision regarding his suitability for open conditions. While this process affected the usual timeframe for engagement with Victim Liaison Unit staff, the prison confirmed that a transfer to open conditions would not be progressed without input from the Victim Liaison Unit. The prison subsequently liaised with the allocated Victim Liaison Officers, and Mr Paterson did not transfer to an open prison because the re-categorisation decision to Category D was ultimately rescinded.

The Security Categorisation Policy Framework was last updated and published in April 2025; in this update, the process for allowing victim input into categorisation assessments for open conditions was strengthened, including the introduction of a minimum 14-day notification period, to allow Victim Liaison Officers sufficient time to consult victims. Alongside this update, the HMPPS Victims Team has issued communications to Victim Liaison Officers reinforcing the process for open conditions, including guidance on when victims should be notified and the information that may be shared with them.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL965

Session

2026-27

Subjects

Prisoners' transfers Victims Open prisons Paterson, Ian

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk