Offender Release Helpline

If you're worried about the offender release changes, our helpline offers:

  • emotional support
  • practical guidance
  • and help with referrals to local or specialist services.

We cannot discuss individual cases or provide release dates – your Victim Liaison Officer can support you with this, if you have one. 

If you're part of the Victim Contact Scheme, your Victim Liaison Office can give you information about the offender in your case. 

You do not need to be part of the Victim Contact Scheme to use the helpline.  

The helpline is for anyone affected by the changes – including victims, witnesses, family members, friends, carers and professionals. 

We are here to help – if you're unsure what support you need, you can call us and we'll talk through your options with you.

Call our helpline on: 0808 168 9280

Social links:

Photo of a female Victim Support staff member with a headset and red lanyard, seated at a desk in front of a computer.
Victim Support Offender Release Helpline logo

What’s changing

Find out more about changes to prison sentences, release dates, and who can give you information about an individual case.

About the helpline

Find out how our helpline advisors can help you, and what other support may be available. 

Questions about prison release changes

You can find answers to common questions about the offender release changes here.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Find practical ways to help you cope with how you’re feeling right now.

Specialist support

Support for adults

Support, information and specialist services for adults affected by crime and worried about changes to prison release arrangements.

Children and young people

Information for parents, carers and guardians supporting a child who has been affected by a change to an offender’s release.

Domestic abuse

Information and support if you’ve been affected by domestic abuse and are worried about changes to prison release arrangements.

My Support Space

Access free, self-guided support to help you cope after crime. Available on mobile and desktop.

Photo of a laptop and smartphone, both showing the My Support Space app.

Live Chat

Speak to one of our trained advisers online if you need support but do not want to call.

Photo of an older gentleman holding a smartphone showing the Victim Support live chat page.

Accreditations

Helplines Standard partnership logo
Lime Culture logo
Logo for Respect accreditation
Turning the Spotlight logo
Leading Light accreditation logo from SafeLives