By Ben Kerrigan-
The UK government has unveiled groundbreaking legislation that is set to bring an end to the prolonged and unjust incarceration of more than 1,800 individuals serving Indeterminate Sentences for Public Protection (IPP).
This significant development is part of a broader effort to rectify the flaws in the justice system and ensure that rehabilitated individuals can reintegrate into society while maintaining public safety.
IPP sentences, introduced in 2005, were initially designed to prevent the release of individuals deemed dangerous even when the committed offense did not warrant a life sentence.
However, the application of these sentences became inconsistent and more frequent than intended, leading to widespread criticism. In 2012, the policy was rightfully scrapped due to its inherent flaws.
Currently, individuals released on licence after serving IPP sentences face a minimum waiting period of 10 years before their case can be reviewed by the Parole Board. The new legislation aims to drastically reduce this waiting period, ensuring that those living safely in the community are eligible for review just three years after their initial release.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk KC, expressed the government’s commitment to rectifying this longstanding issue. He stated, “We are taking decisive action to curtail IPP licence periods to give rehabilitated people the opportunity to move on with their lives, while continuing to make sure the public are protected from the most serious offenders.”
Under the proposed changes, if a license is not terminated at the three-year mark by the Parole Board, it will automatically conclude after an additional two years, providing a defined ‘end date’ to the sentence. This marks a significant departure from the previous lack of clarity surrounding the release of individuals serving IPP sentences.
The legislation, applied retrospectively, will result in the immediate termination of licenses for approximately 1,800 rehabilitated offenders once it comes into force. Notably, those who have been recalled to prison or confined to secure hospitals will not be eligible for this accelerated review process.
Furthermore, the government has amended the Victims and Prisoners Bill to introduce a presumption that the Parole Board will terminate the licence unless it is deemed necessary to protect the public. This presumption is designed to give offenders the best opportunity to move forward from their sentence, acknowledging the progress made since the scrapping of IPP sentences in 2012.
As part of the government’s broader efforts, the legislation is expected to receive Royal Assent within two months, ushering in a new era for the justice system and providing hope for the 800 individuals who will become newly eligible for Parole Board consideration by March 2025.