Judges across England and Wales are being compelled to issue formal apologies for imposing controversial Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, a now-scrapped policy that has left thousands of inmates trapped in legal purgatory.
A Legacy of Unjust Sentencing
Introduced in 2005, IPP sentences allowed courts to detain offenders indefinitely if they were deemed a risk to the public – even for relatively minor crimes. Though abolished in 2012, nearly 3,000 prisoners remain behind bars under these terms, with many having served far beyond their original tariff.
The Human Cost
Campaigners describe IPP as "psychological torture," with inmates facing perpetual uncertainty about their release. The Justice Secretary has acknowledged the system's failures, but concrete solutions remain elusive.
Judicial Regret Emerges
Recent disclosures reveal that sentencing judges are now writing letters of apology to affected prisoners. One former judge admitted: "We were following policy, but policy was wrong."
Calls for Urgent Reform
With the parole system overwhelmed and reoffending rates high among released IPP prisoners, experts demand:
- Automatic sentence reviews
- Better mental health support
- Clearer pathways to release
As public pressure mounts, the government faces growing demands to finally resolve this dark chapter in British justice.
