Probation Chief Urges Action on Indefinite Jail Terms, Warning of Trapped Prisoners

either allow these prisoners to languish, potentially leading to deaths in prison, or take action to rectify what has been widely criticized as a flaw in the justice system.

The IPP sentence, which was scrapped in 2012 but not applied retrospectively, has left many individuals incarcerated indefinitely. The cases of several victims of this system, such as Leroy Douglas, Thomas White, and Abdullahi Suleman, highlight the tragic consequences. Successive governments have resisted resentencing IPP prisoners, and at the current release rates, the number of individuals trapped under this open-ended punishment is decreasing slowly, despite some having served significantly longer than their original sentences.

Jones supports the proposals put forward by the Howard League for Penal Reform and former Lord Chief Justice Lord John Thomas, which include providing IPP prisoners with a release date within two years of their next parole review, reducing recalls to custody for license breaches, and offering mental health support upon release. A report considered by ministers, warned that without action, some IPP prisoners will die in custody. The report also highlighted the high number of self-inflicted deaths among IPP prisoners, both in custody and in the community.

Jones expressed concern that the current system will lead to deaths in prison, either through natural causes or suicide. He believes that the majority of IPP prisoners were originally sentenced for relatively minor offenses and that it is unjust for them to serve excessively long sentences. He emphasized that IPP prisoners often struggle to meet the Parole Board's release criteria, effectively trapping them within the sentence. He also supports recommendations for judicial oversight of IPP recalls, noting the significant impact of these decisions on individuals' lives.

Furthermore, Jones highlighted that many IPP prisoners are recommended for open conditions but are denied transfer by ministers. He stressed the importance of adequate funding and resources for the probation system to effectively manage complex cases in the community. He acknowledged the government's investment in probation services and sees the ongoing justice sector reforms as an opportunity to address the IPP crisis. He believes that the changes in the justice system can help to balance the prison and probation systems.