Joe Outlaw, a man serving an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence, has spent more than ten years in prison without a fixed release date, highlighting the ongoing controversy surrounding the now-abolished sentencing scheme.
Outlaw, originally from Teesside, was handed the IPP sentence in 2012 for grievous bodily harm. Despite the scheme being scrapped in 2012, over 2,900 prisoners remain incarcerated under IPP terms, with many, like Outlaw, trapped in a cycle of indefinite detention.
What is an IPP Sentence?
Introduced in 2005, IPP sentences were designed for offenders deemed a significant risk to the public but whose crimes did not warrant a life sentence. However, critics argue the scheme led to unjust and prolonged imprisonment, as prisoners struggled to prove they were no longer a threat.
Outlaw's Struggle for Freedom
Outlaw's case has drawn attention due to the psychological toll of indefinite detention. His family and campaigners argue that the lack of a clear release date has left him in a state of limbo, exacerbating mental health issues.
"It's inhumane," said a close relative. "He’s served his time, but the system won’t let him move on."
Calls for Reform
Campaigners and MPs have repeatedly called for resentencing or early release for IPP prisoners. The Justice Select Committee has labelled the situation a "stain on the justice system," urging the government to take action.
Despite mounting pressure, the Ministry of Justice has yet to commit to a comprehensive review, leaving prisoners like Outlaw in legal purgatory.
