In this episode, Sam and I discuss inderminate prison sentences in England and Wales. These prisoners are on sentences called Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP sentences). These sentences came into effect in 2005 to detain offenders, who committed serious crimes and posed a significant risk of harm to the public, in prison until they no longer posed a risk. However, many people who have committed crimes without a violent element have been given this sentence. Some IPP prisoners have been in prison for decades, despite being given a two year tariff they had to serve in prison. There are just under 3000 people are still in prison on IPP sentences today. We discuss the psychological impacts of IPP sentences and the self-harm risk they pose, how - once released - licence conditions can leave them living half a life. This is an important episode about a prison sentence that has been coined ‘a stain on the British justice system’.
Timestamps
[02:14] What is an IPP sentence and why is it used?
[04:58] Why were people who were convicted of minor offences given this sentence?
[07:15] Why IPP prisoners are being sent back to prison without being convicted of a further crime
[13:44] The psychological impacts of IPP sentences and how this impacts parole
[25:16] How someone convicted of murder can be released from prison earlier than someone who stole a mobile phone
[27:07] Government’s plan to deal with IPP prisoners
[32:02] What happens to IPP prisoners whose mental health has suffered to the point they aren’t safe in the community?
You can listen to Sam's podcast on IPP sentences here
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The views and opinions of the guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host.