Senior legal figures in the House of Lords have tabled fresh proposals aimed at compelling the government to address the plight of almost 2,500 prisoners still trapped under abolished indefinite jail terms.
A Push for Judicial Intervention
In a significant move, peers have called for the creation of a specialist panel of judges to individually reconsider the cases of every prisoner languishing under an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence. Edward Garnier KC, a former Conservative solicitor general, has tabled an amendment to the Sentencing Bill, which will be debated in the Lords in the New Year.
His proposal urges the justice secretary to appoint 12 current or former crown court judges. This panel would review each case, assessing the original offence, time served, risk to the public, and necessary community support, before deciding if a prisoner should be released on licence. However, the justice secretary would retain the power to overrule a decision to release an inmate.
The Human Cost of a 'Broken System'
The open-ended IPP sentences were scrapped in 2012, but not retrospectively, leaving thousands incarcerated without a fixed release date. They can only be freed if they convince the Parole Board they are safe. Lord Garnier argued that too many IPP prisoners are "now victims of state action or lack of it" and urged the government to "fix this broken system".
The tragic human consequences have been repeatedly highlighted. Cases include:
- Leroy Douglas, who has served nearly 20 years for stealing a mobile phone.
- Thomas White, 42, who set himself alight in his cell and has served 13 years for phone theft.
- Abdullahi Suleman, 41, still imprisoned 19 years after a laptop robbery.
At least 94 IPP inmates have died by suicide. A recent inquest found the IPP term was the most significant factor in the death of Taylor Atkinson, 50, who told his partner "the only way out for me is in a bodybag".
Government Resistance and Alternative Plans
Despite mounting pressure, the government has refused to resentence the remaining IPP prisoners, insisting it will not compromise public protection. Without government support, the Lords' amendments are unlikely to pass.
A separate amendment by Lord Thomas, the former Lord Chief Justice, calls for IPP prisoners to be given a release date within two years of their next parole hearing. During a debate, he warned the government would have "blood on its hands" if it failed to act.
Prisons Minister James Timpson has proposed a more modest change, allowing released IPP prisoners to apply to end their licence after two years in the community, instead of three. However, campaigners from the United Group for Reform of IPP (UNGRIPP) say the government is merely "tinkering at the edges".
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated: "It is right that IPP sentences were abolished and we continue to provide additional support to prisoners serving them. Every IPP prisoner is entitled to a parole review at least every two years."
