Sarah Everard’s parents and other families who have lost loved ones are urging for a change in terminology regarding “life sentences” to accurately reflect a life spent in prison. The group Justice for Victims highlighted that the public is often misled into believing that the most dangerous criminals will remain incarcerated for life when, in reality, this is not always the case. They are pushing for amendments to the Sentencing Bill currently under parliamentary review.
The campaign group emphasized that the term “life sentences” does not equate to a lifetime behind bars and should only be used when referring to a whole life order or a permanent imprisonment. Sarah, aged 33, was tragically killed in 2021 by a Metropolitan Police officer, Wayne Couzens, who received a whole-life term, ensuring he will not be released except under exceptional circumstances.
In addition to Sarah’s case, the group includes other families like Katie Brett, Glenn and Becky Youens, Paula Hudgell, and Ayse Hussein, who have all suffered the loss or harm of their loved ones due to criminal acts. These families are advocating for increased rights for victims to be informed and involved in decisions concerning an offender’s supervision, release, or conditions.
Furthermore, they are requesting the establishment of a child cruelty register to prevent those convicted of child abuse from working with children or caring for their own. The Ministry of Justice has announced new amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill aimed at safeguarding more children from sexual offenders, including automatically limiting parental responsibility in cases of children born from rape or serious sex offenses against a child. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy emphasized that children’s rights and safety are paramount in these cases.
The Ministry of Justice assured that sentencing reforms will prioritize keeping the most dangerous offenders in custody, with measures such as expanded tagging and restriction zones to enhance victim protection. The bill will not impact the sentences of the most serious offenders, including those serving life terms or extended determinate sentences.