'Long-awaited' day arrives with reform of controversial IPP sentences

4WardEverUK • 18 January 2025

source: The Justice Gap

published: 23 November 2024

Image Credit: Unsplash at www.FreeRangeStock.com


New provisions have come into force to end Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, described as the ‘single greatest stain on the criminal justice system’.


Almost 2,000 people serving controversial lifetime licenses will have their sentence terminated immediately. The measure applies to those who have been released for at least five years and who have been out on licence for two years. 


The reforms were announced by the previous justice secretary, Alex Chalk, in an attempt to address the scandal of people languishing in jail indefinitely, despite in many cases not having committed serious offences.

IPP sentences were introduced in 2005 to keep offenders who were deemed dangerous detained beyond the end of their tariff (the minimum period they have to serve in prison). The sentence was abolished in 2012, but the abolition did not apply to those already serving it. As of July this year, 2,700 prisoners, 99% of whom are serving time beyond their initial tarriff, remain on IPP sentences.

These new provisions were introduced by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 and have come into force on 1st November, described as ‘a long-awaited day’ by the Howard League for Penal Reform


Children serving the parallel Detention for Public Protection (DPP) sentences will also benefit from the new provisions. Children who have been released for four years and have been on licence for two years will have their sentences terminated immediately.


Read full article >

share this article on social media

Black Lives Matter protest
by 4WardEverUK 31 March 2025
From the US to the Democratic Republic of Congo, women and girls’ rights have suffered serious setbacks. Despite the challenges, there also have been improvements and victories.
Hillsborough disaster campaigners
by 4WardEverUK 29 March 2025
On the anniversary of the 1989 disaster [2024] we remembered those who died, through their families’ personal statements about them, as reported by David Conn from the BBC.
Football stadium
by 4WardEverUK 28 March 2025
The promised new Hillsborough Law appears to be in chaos after a meeting between PM Sir Keir Starmer and the families of those unlawfully killed in the 1989 disaster was cancelled.
Brian Haw in attendance @ UFFC rally
by 4WardEverUK 27 March 2025
A statue of peace campaigner Brian Haw has been unveiled in London. Mr Haw camped out in Parliament Square for nearly 10 years to protest against UK and US foreign policy.
Dark prison cell
by 4WardEverUK 26 March 2025
Four more prisoners serving Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences have taken their own lives, taking the total to 94. Another 37 released IPPs took their own lives up to April 2024.
The People’s Tribunal banner
by 4WardEverUK 15 March 2025
With more than 2000 deaths at the hands of the police over the past 50 years there have only been four successful prosecutions that led to officers being convicted and going to prison.
More Articles
Share by: