Release the Remaining IPP Prisoners | 38 Degrees
Now
36,466
of 40,000
Call for Evidence by Tuesday 26 October 2021
IPP sentences were abolished in 2012 following heavy criticism of the structure of the sentences, and the systems surrounding their implementation and operation. At the time of abolition, the coalition government said the system was “not defensible”.[1] However, the change was not retrospective and did not apply to existing IPP prisoners.
Before you continue writing your evidence
Your submission should:
be concise - if it’s over 3,000 words you should include a short summary as well
include an introduction to you or your organisation and your reason for submitting evidence
Your submission should not have been published anywhere already. This includes blogs, newspaper articles, websites and journals, for example.
Uploading your evidence
The file you upload must: be less than 25MB
be a single Word, ODT or RTF document
contain no logos
If you need help to send us your evidence
We want everyone’s voice to be heard in Parliament. Please contact us if you find it difficult to send us your evidence online.
What happens to your evidence
Your evidence will usually be published online. We’ll read your evidence and use it to help the Committee’s inquiry. The Committee can also use or quote from your evidence in its report, which will be published on our webpages.
If your evidence is published it stays public forever. This means other people will be able to see and read what you send us. Your name, or your organisation’s name, will usually be published too.
The Committee does not have to accept your evidence or publish what you send us. We’ll e-mail you to let you know what’s happening to your evidence.
In certain circumstances you can ask us to keep your details anonymous or your submission confidential. For example, you might do this if your evidence contains very personal information about you or your family. You can make this request if necessary when you upload your evidence.
Help and support
If you need help submitting your evidence, contact the Justice Committee by email at justicecom@parliament.uk, or by phone on 020 7219 8196/1280
As of 30 June 2021, there were 1,722 IPP prisoners. 96% of them have served time in prison beyond their tariff. IPP sentences have effectively been replaced by Extended Determinate sentences. Under those, and unlike under IPPs, people are released automatically at the end of their custodial term.
The aim of this inquiry is to examine the continued existence of IPP sentences and to identify possible legislative and policy solutions.
Note: The Committee will accept written submissions from serving prisoners by post - a maximum of 10 A4 pages. Submissions should be posted to: Justice Select Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. If accepted by the Committee, all prisoner evidence submissions will be made fully anonymous before being published.
Terms of reference:
What options are available to reduce the size of the IPP prison population? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different options?
What are the current barriers preventing release? What measures would need to be taken to overcome these barriers, and what would be the operational and resource implications for HMPPS?
What would be the options and implications of backdating the change to IPP legislation?
What is the experience of people on IPP sentences in prison? What additional mental health challenges do people serving IPP sentences face because of the nature of their indeterminate sentence?
How is release and resettlement planned and managed for IPP prisoners given their unpredictable release date?
How are people on IPP sentences managed within the community once released?
What are the main reasons why people serving IPP sentences are recalled? Once recalled what support is given to prepare them for re-release?
Please send submissions of no more than 3,000 words through the online portal by close of play
Tuesday 26 October 2021.
We would welcome early submissions. https://committees.parliament.uk/.../imprisonment-for.../
