Victims of crime could be given a greater say in the punishment dealt to offenders, the government said on Tuesday.

Warning that some victims feel shut out of the legal process, Home Office minister Lord Falconer said they could be given a greater say in whether their attacker is released from jail.

"Victims of crime and their families are entitled to a proper system of justice. But many victims feel that the rights of those accused of a crime take precedence over theirs and have said that they have felt 'left in the dark', vulnerable, intimidated and frustrated," said Falconer.

"The victim's voice is too often shunned because of concern over objectivity - yes it is understandably hard for victims to be objective and no-one is saying they should be judge and jury - but that should not mean their feelings do not matter, has this shutting out gone too far?"

The minister denied suggestions that victims always wanted harsh justice for their attackers.

"I know that many of you would oppose the notion that the victim's view should be taken into account when determining the date of release. It is the case that the vast majority of victims would, if asked, state that they want their attacker to remain incarcerated," he told parole officers.

"If this factor alone determined release, then release consideration might not always be an objective exercise.

"However, where there is clear evidence that, for example, the mental well being of the victim would be undermined by the offender returning to the community, then we must surely owe it to the victim to ensure that this is taken into account as a factor militating against release."The minister conceded that there were "conflicting interests" but warned that the debate was crucial to ensure victims of crime do not feel shut out.