Briefing on government amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill at the House of Lords Report Stage

“Recent government amendments build on recommendations made by a coalition of criminal justice, human rights, and mental health organisations calling for the reform of the IPP sentence in particular, of which the Howard League is a part.

“They also take into account some of the amendments tabled during earlier stages of the Bill by a cross-party coalition of peers – led by Lord Blunkett and Lord Moylan – which we urged peers to support.

“Though these changes in part represent some progress in bolstering the Bill as a tool to improving rehabilitation efforts of people in prison, they do not go far enough in addressing the plight of people on IPP sentences, and risk exacerbating existing pressures on the Parole Board.”

Read the full briefing