Victims and Prisoners Bill 2022-23

make provision about victims of criminal conduct and others affected by criminal conduct; about the appointment and functions of advocates for victims of major incidents; about the release of prisoners; about the membership and functions of the Parole Board; to prohibit certain prisoners from forming a marriage or civil partnership; and for connected purposes.

Government Bill

(Ministry of Justice)

What is this Bill?

The Victims and Prisoners Bill is a Government Bill tabled by a Minister of the Crown.

Is this Bill currently before Parliament?

Yes. This Bill was introduced on 29 March 2023 and is currently before Parliament.

Whose idea is this Bill?

Government Bills implement the legislative agenda of the Government. This agenda, and the Bills that will implement it, are outlined in the Queen's Speech at the Session's State Opening of Parliament.

What type of Bill is this?

Government Bills are technically Presentation Bills, but the Government can use its legislative time to ensure the schedule of debates to scrutinise the Bill.

So is this going to become a law?

Though the Bill can be amended from its original form, the Bill will almost certainly be enacted in law before the end of the Session, or will be carried over to the subsequent Session.

How can I find out exactly what this Bill does?

The most straightforward information is contained in the initial Explanatory Notes for the Bill.

Would you like to know more?

See these Glossary articles for more information: Government Bills, Process of a Bill

Official Bill Page Initial Explanatory Notes Initial Briefing papers Ministerial Extracts from Debates All Bill Debates

Next Event: Tuesday 30th April 2024 - Report stage

Last Event: Tuesday 23rd April 2024 - Report stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

Bill Progession through Parliament

Commons Completed

Lords - 80%

Latest Key documents

Bill Debate

13/05/2024

Report stage

Bill

25/03/2024

HL Bill 57 (as amended in Committee)

Briefing paper

13/12/2023

Victims and Prisoners Bill: HL Bill 31

Explanatory Note

06/12/2023

HL Bill 31 Explanatory Notes

Impact Assessment

19/12/2023

Equality Statement

Timeline of Bill Documents and Stages

13th May 2024

Report stage (Lords)

30th April 2024

Report stage (Lords)

26th April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57-III Third marshalled list for Report

25th April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57-II(Rev)(b) Amendments for Report (Supplementary to the Revised Second Marshalled List)

23rd April 2024

Report stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

23rd April 2024

Report stage (Lords)

23rd April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57-II(Rev)(a) Amendments for Report (Supplementary to the Revised Marshalled List)

22nd April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57-II(Rev) Revised second marshalled list for Report

19th April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57-II Second marshalled list for Report

17th April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57-I(c) Amendments for Report (Supplementary to the Marshalled List)

16th April 2024

Report stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

16th April 2024

Report stage (Lords)

16th April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57-I(b) Amendments for Report (Supplementary to the Marshalled List)

15th April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL 57-I(a) Amendments for Report (Supplementary to the Marshalled List)

12th April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57-I Marshalled list for Report

11th April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57(g) Amendments for Report

10th April 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57(f) Amendment for Report

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57(e) Amendments for Report

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57(d) Amendments for Report

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57(c) Amendments for Report

27th March 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57(b) Amendments for Report

26th March 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 57(a) Amendments for Report

25th March 2024

Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

25th March 2024

Committee stage (Lords)

25th March 2024

HL Bill 57 (as amended in Committee)

25th March 2024

Will write letters

Letter from Lord Bellamy to Lord Hodgson regarding provisions for restorative justice.

25th March 2024

Will write letters

Letter from Lord Bellamy to Peers regarding access to court transcripts.

25th March 2024

Will write letters

Letter from Lord Bellamy to Baroness Newlove regarding support for victims of rape with neurodivergence and disabilities.

25th March 2024

Will write letters

Letter from Lord Bellamy to Baroness Lister and Baroness Brinton regarding violence against women and girls, migrant victims and specialist services.

21st March 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-VIII Eighth marshalled list for Committee

12th March 2024

Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

12th March 2024

Committee stage (Lords)

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-VII Seventh marshalled list for Committee

26th February 2024

Committee stage (Lords)

26th February 2024

Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

22nd February 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-VI Sixth marshalled list for Committee

13th February 2024

Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

13th February 2024

Committee stage (Lords)

9th February 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-V Fifth marshalled list for Committee

7th February 2024

Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings part two (Lords)

7th February 2024

Committee stageMinutes of Proceeding part one (Lords)

7th February 2024

Committee stage part two (Lords)

7th February 2024

Committee stage part one (Lords)

7th February 2024

Carry-over motion

6th February 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-IV(a) Amendments for Committee (Supplementary to the Fourth Marshalled List)

5th February 2024

Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

5th February 2024

Committee stage (Lords)

5th February 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-IV Fourth marshalled list for Committee

2nd February 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-III(a) Amendment for Committee (Supplementary to the Third Marshalled List)

1st February 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-III Third marshalled list for Committee

31st January 2024

Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings Part 2 (Lords)

31st January 2024

Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings Part 1 (Lords)

31st January 2024

Committee stage: Part 2 (Lords)

31st January 2024

Committee stage: Part 1 (Lords)

30th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-II(Rev) Revised second marshalled list for Committee

29th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-II Second marshalled list for Committee

25th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-I(b) Amendment for Committee (Supplementary to the Marshalled List)

24th January 2024

Committee stage: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

24th January 2024

Committee stage (Lords)

23rd January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31-I(a) Amendments for Committee (Supplementary to the Marshalled List)

22nd January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 33-I Marshalled list for Committee

19th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(k) Amendments for Committee

18th January 2024

Select Committee report

7th Report of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee

18th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(j) Amendments for Committee

17th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(i) Amendments for Committee

16th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(h) Amendments for Committee

15th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(g) Amendments for Committee

12th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(f) Amendments for Committee

11th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(e) Amendments for Committee

9th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(d) Amendments for Committee

5th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(c) Amendments for Committee

4th January 2024

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(b) Amendments for Committee

19th December 2023

Impact Assessments

Equality Statement

19th December 2023

Amendment Paper

HL Bill 31(a) Amendments for Committee

19th December 2023

Impact Assessments

Impact Assessment: Imprisonment for public protection: termination of licences; to be introduced with the Victims and Prisoners Bill

19th December 2023

Impact Assessments

Impact Assessment: Victims and Prisoners Bill — Parole Clauses (updated)

18th December 2023

2nd reading: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

18th December 2023

2nd reading (Lords)

13th December 2023

Briefing papers

Victims and Prisoners Bill: HL Bill 31

7th December 2023

Delegated Powers Memorandum

Victims and Prisoners Bill: Delegated Powers Memorandum

6th December 2023

1st reading: Minutes of Proceedings (Lords)

6th December 2023

1st reading (Lords)

6th December 2023

Explanatory Notes

HL Bill 31 Explanatory Notes

6th December 2023

HL Bill 31 (as brought from the Commons)

4th December 2023

3rd reading (Commons)

4th December 2023

Report stage (Commons)

4th December 2023

Bill proceedings: Commons

Report Stage Proceedings as at 4 December 2023

4th December 2023

Selection of amendments: Commons

Speaker’s provisional grouping and selection of Amendments - 4 December 2023

4th December 2023

Amendment Paper

Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 4 December 2023

4th December 2023

Amendment Paper

Consideration of Bill Amendments as at 4 December 2023 - large font accessible version

1st December 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 1 December 2023

30th November 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 30 November 2023

29th November 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 29 November 2023

28th November 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 28 November 2023

27th November 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 27 November 2023

23rd November 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 23 November 2023

22nd November 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 22 November 2023

16th November 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 16 November 2023

15th November 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 15 November 2023

14th November 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 14 November 2023

14th November 2023

Briefing papers

Research Briefing on progress of the Bill

9th November 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 9 November 2023

8th November 2023

2nd reading (Commons)

8th November 2023

1st reading (Commons)

8th November 2023

Explanatory Notes

Bill 002 EN 2023-24

8th November 2023

Bill 002 2023-24 (as introduced) - xml download

8th November 2023

Bill 002 2023-24 (as introduced)

24th October 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 24 October 2023

17th October 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 17 October 2023

16th October 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 16 October 2023

12th September 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 12 September 2023

8th September 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 8 September 2023

6th September 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 6 September 2023

31st August 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 31 August 2023

25th August 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 25 August 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 21 July 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 19 July 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 18 July 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 13 July 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 12 July 2023

11th July 2023

Committee stage: 14th sitting (Commons)

11th July 2023

Committee stage: 13th sitting (Commons)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by NHS England (supplementary submission) (VPB45)

Amendment Paper

Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 11 July 2023

Bill 351 2022-23 (as amended in Public Bill Committee)

Selection of amendments: Commons

Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in Committee - 11 July 2023

Bill proceedings: Commons

All proceedings up to 11 July 2023 at Public Bill Committee Stage

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) (supplementary submission) (VPB46)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Catch22 (VPB44)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by International Justice Mission (VPB43)

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 10 July 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 7 July 2023

6th July 2023

Committee stage: 12th sitting (Commons)

6th July 2023

Committee stage: 11th sitting (Commons)

Amendment Paper

Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 6 July 2023

Selection of amendments: Commons

Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in Committee - 6 July 2023

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Magistrates' Association (VPB42)

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 5 July 2023

4th July 2023

Committee stage: 10th sitting (Commons)

4th July 2023

Committee stage: 9th sitting (Commons)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Tim Suter, solicitor, Manchester Arena Inquiry and Hillsborough Inquest (supplementary submission) (VPB38)

Amendment Paper

Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 4 July 2023

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Association of Prison Lawyers (VPB40)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Prisoners' Advice Service (VPB39)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the National Police Chiefs' Council (supplementary submission) (VPB41)

Selection of amendments: Commons

Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in Committee - 4 July 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 29 June 2023

29th June 2023

Committee stage: 8th sitting (Commons)

29th June 2023

Committee stage: 7th sitting (Commons)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Amnesty International UK (VPB35)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Dr Stuart Murray, Bereaved family member of Manchester Arena bombing (VPB36)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Local Government Association (VPB37)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by JUSTICE (VPB34)

Amendment Paper

Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 29 June 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 28 June 2023

Selection of amendments: Commons

Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in Committee - 29 June 2023

27th June 2023

Committee stage: 6th sitting (Commons)

27th June 2023

Committee stage: 5th sitting (Commons)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (VPB33)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by SafeLives (supplementary submission) (VPB32)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Claire Waxman OBE, Independent Victims' Commissioner for London (supplementary submission) (VPB31)

Amendment Paper

Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 27 June 2023

Selection of amendments: Commons

Chair’s provisional selection and grouping of amendments in Committee - 27 June 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 26 June 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 23 June 2023

22nd June 2023

Committee stage: 4th sitting (Commons)

22nd June 2023

Committee stage: 3rd sitting (Commons)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Surviving Economic Abuse (VPB23)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by The Josh Hanson Charitable Trust (VPB14)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Solace Women's Aid (VPB15)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Tackling Double Disadvantage Partnership (VPB17)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Criminal Justice Alliance (VPB18)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Spotlight on Corruption (VPB21)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by The Bell Foundation (VPB22)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Latin American Women's Rights Service and the Step Up Migrant Women campaign (VPB26)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Office of the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales (VPB29)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Anti-trafficking & Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU), Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX), Kalayan, and the Latin American Women's Rights Service (LAWRS) (joint submission) (VPB30)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Women's Aid Federation of England (VPB24)

Amendment Paper

Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 22 June 2023

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Why me? (VPB16)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Respect and The Drive Partnership (VPB19)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Refuge (VPB20)

Written evidence

Joint written evidence submitted on behalf of the following VAWG organisations: End Violence Against Women Coalition, Women's Aid Federation of England (Women's Aid), Latin American Women's Rights Service, Solace Women's Aid, Refuge, Agenda Alliance, Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid, Respect, Centre for Women's Justice, Traveller Movement, Surviving Economic Abuse, Hibiscus Initiatives, Safety4Sisters and Southall Black Sisters (VPB25)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by The Bar Council and the Law Society (joint submission) (VPB27)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by The Bar Council (VPB28)

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 21 June 2023

20th June 2023

Committee stage: 2nd sitting (Commons)

20th June 2023

Committee stage: 1st sitting (Commons)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Napo Trade Union for Probation and Family Courts staff (VPB05)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Centre for Women's Justice (VPB13)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by The Howard League for Penal Reform (VPB11)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Lorna Hackett, Barrister, Head of Legal Practice at Hackett & Dabbs LLP and a tenant at Millennium Chambers (VPB08)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Victim Support (VPB06)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Law Society of England and Wales (VPB03)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Restorative Justice Council (VPB01)

Amendment Paper

Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 20 June 2023

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust (VPB02)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Keep Prisons Single Sex (VPB04)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by the Prison Reform Trust (VPB07)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Rape Crisis England & Wales, End Violence Against Women coalition, Centre for Women's Justice and Rights of Women (joint submission) - The need for a bespoke regime to protect confidentiality of therapy records in rape investigations and prosecutions (VPB09)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Rape Crisis England & Wales, End Violence Against Women coalition, Centre for Women's Justice and Rights of Women (joint submission) - Independent legal advice for rape victims and survivors (VPB10)

Written evidence

Written evidence submitted by Liberty (VPB12)

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 19 June 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 16 June 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 15 June 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 14 June 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 13 June 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 7 June 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 23 May 2023

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 17 May 2023

Victims and Prisoners Bill: call for written evidence

Amendment Paper

Notices of Amendments as at 16 May 2023

15th May 2023

2nd reading (Commons)

15th May 2023

Carry-over motion

15th May 2023

Programme motion

15th May 2023

Money resolution

Briefing papers

Briefing paper on the Bill

29th March 2023

1st reading (Commons)

29th March 2023

Bill 286 2022-23 (as introduced)

29th March 2023

Explanatory Notes

Bill 286 EN 2022-23

29th March 2023

Delegated Powers Memorandum

Memorandum from the Ministry of Justice for the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee

29th March 2023

Human rights memorandum

Human Rights memorandum from the Ministry of Justice

29th March 2023

Impact Assessments

Victims and Prisoners Bill – Parole Clauses - Impact Assessment from the Ministry of Justice