Key facts
- The UK government has pledged to end Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences.
- Legislation to end IPP sentences will be brought forward by the end of the current parliament.
- The IPP sentence, abolished in 2012, allowed for indefinite detention of offenders deemed a public risk.
- Campaigners and families have long fought against the IPP sentencing regime.
- Implementation will require careful consideration of public safety and national security.
The UK government has announced a commitment to end Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences during the current parliamentary term. This move has been hailed by campaigners and families as a significant step towards justice for thousands of individuals trapped by a sentencing regime that was acknowledged as flawed over a decade ago.
The IPP sentence, introduced in 2005, was designed for the indefinite detention of serious offenders perceived as a public risk. However, it was applied more widely than intended, including to those who committed lower-level crimes. Although the sentence was abolished in 2012, its abolition was not retrospective, leaving many individuals in legal limbo.
Marc Conway, a former IPP prisoner and leader of the campaign group Ungripp, described the pledge as a long-overdue move towards justice, stating, "This is a day that thousands of families have spent years fighting for." He emphasized that while legislation is a critical first step, it cannot undo the damage caused by the sentence.
Donna Nicol, whose brother Tommy died while serving an IPP sentence, expressed mixed emotions. While relieved for other families, she felt the decision came too late for her brother. She urged the government for swift, clear, and compassionate implementation, stating, "words are not enough."
Andy Burnham explained that the decision was based on a judgment that offenders who have served their time should be freed, addressing a sense of unfairness. He acknowledged that a careful approach is needed to ensure public safety and national security, and a cross-party oversight group will be established to manage the transition.