Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21)

Part 1 U.K. Victims of criminal conduct

Inspections by criminal justice inspectorates E+W

23 His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons E+W

(1) Schedule A1 to the Prison Act 1952 (further provision about Chief Inspector) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 2 (inspection programmes and frameworks), in sub-paragraph (2), omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (i) and insert—

“(ia) the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses, and”.

(3) In paragraph 5 (joint action), after sub-paragraph (6) insert—

“(7) The Secretary of State, the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney General may by a joint direction require a joint inspection programme to include provision for the inspection, at specified times, of specified matters relating to the experiences and treatment of victims.

(8) In sub-paragraph (7)—

• “specified” means specified in the direction;

• “victim” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.”

Commencement Information

I1 S. 23 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 81(2)

I2 S. 23(1)(2) in force at 29.1.2025 by S.I. 2025/95, reg. 2(e)

24 His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary E+W

(1) Schedule 4A to the Police Act 1996 (further provision about inspectors of constabulary) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 2 (inspection programmes and frameworks), in sub-paragraph (2), omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (i) and insert—

“(ia) the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses, and”.

(3) In paragraph 5 (joint action), after sub-paragraph (6) insert—

“(7) The Secretary of State, the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney General may by a joint direction require a joint inspection programme to include provision for the inspection, at specified times, of specified matters relating to the experiences and treatment of victims.

(8) In sub-paragraph (7)—

• “specified” means specified in the direction;

• “victim” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.”

Commencement Information

I3 S. 24 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 81(2)

I4 S. 24(1)(2) in force at 29.1.2025 by S.I. 2025/95, reg. 2(f)

25 His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of the Crown Prosecution Service E+W

(1) The Schedule to the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate Act 2000 (further provision about Chief Inspector) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 2 (inspection programmes and frameworks), in sub-paragraph (2), omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (i) and insert—

“(ia) the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses, and”.

(3) In paragraph 5 (joint action), after sub-paragraph (6) insert—

“(7) The Secretary of State, the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney General may by a joint direction require a joint inspection programme to include provision for the inspection, at specified times, of specified matters relating to the experiences and treatment of victims.

(8) In sub-paragraph (7)—

• “specified” means specified in the direction;

• “victim” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.”

Commencement Information

I5 S. 25 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 81(2)

I6 S. 25(1)(2) in force at 29.1.2025 by S.I. 2025/95, reg. 2(g)

26 His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation for England and Wales E+W

(1) Schedule 1A to the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (further provision about the inspectorate) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 2 (inspection programmes and frameworks), in sub-paragraph (2), omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (i) and insert—

“(ia) the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses, and”.

(3) In paragraph 5 (joint action), after sub-paragraph (6) insert—

“(7) The Secretary of State, the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney General may by a joint direction require a joint inspection programme to include provision for the inspection, at specified times, of specified matters relating to the experiences and treatment of victims.

(8) In sub-paragraph (7)—

• “specified” means specified in the direction;

• “victim” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.”

Commencement Information

I7 S. 26 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 81(2)

I8 S. 26(1)(2) in force at 29.1.2025 by S.I. 2025/95, reg. 2(h)