Scandal of indefinite jail terms has left prisoners damaged by ‘state’s failure’, ex-justice secretary warns
Former justice secretary says indefinite jail terms ‘unfair’
- Former Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC has urged his successor Shabana Mahmood to carefully consider fresh proposals to end “unfair” indefinite Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences.
- Over 2,500 inmates remain trapped under IPP sentences, which were abolished in 2012 but not retrospectively, leading to some serving up to 22 times their original tariff.
- Mr Chalk previously implemented reforms reducing the IPP licence period from 10 years to three, resulting in almost 1,800 licence terminations.
- New proposals from the Howard League for Penal Reform and Lord John Thomas suggest giving remaining IPP prisoners a release date within a two-year window at their next Parole Board review.
- Mr Chalk supports careful consideration of these proposals, potentially with additional safeguards like tagging, while the government has said it will also consider the recommendations.