Briefing on Sentencing Bill: Committee Stage in the House of Lords

“The perpetuation of the imprisonment of IPPs remains an enduring stain on our justice system. It was abolished in December 2012 because it was accepted by all that the sentence was wrong in principle. Yet we continue to inflict this punishment on about 950 offenders who have never been released; there is no justice in continuing to treat them differently to any who committed similar offences before April 2005 or were sentenced after December 2012.

“This amendment creates a viable and safe alternative to ‘resentencing’ by utilising the skills and expertise of the Parole Board and properly balancing the interests of justice, the protection of the public and the responsibility of the state for the effects of this misguided sentence. It requires the Parole Board to fix a future release date for post tariff IPPs who cannot be released immediately, following the successful completion of directions designed to ensure the public will be adequately protected upon release. This amendment implements the key recommendation of the expert group commissioned by the Howard League for Penal Reform to end the detention of those on IPP sentences.”

Read the briefing in full.