Howard League responds to Prime Minister’s announcement on sentencing

The Howard League for Penal Reform has responded to the Prime Minister’s statement on sentencing changes and people in prison serving the IPP sentence, announced today (Sunday 30 August).

Andrea Coomber KC (Hon.), Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “We look forward to hearing the detail in the Lord Chancellor’s statement in Parliament on Tuesday, but today we welcome the clarity that the Prime Minister has given on his government’s position on IPP sentences.

“Today’s announcement ought to be the beginning of the end of a terrible injustice that has ruined thousands of lives and brought great shame on our criminal justice system. Ministers have made the right decision, and they must now begin the challenging task of putting everything in place to prepare people for release after years of unjust incarceration. This moment is long overdue.

“The Prime Minister has also indicated that further changes will be made to the implementation of the Sentencing Act. Further direction should come on Tuesday, but we are concerned that the details announced so far will make it even harder to tackle the prison capacity crisis in the short term. Prisons up and down the country have been under tremendous pressure in recent weeks and, with the start date of October fast approaching, it is crucial that they receive the clarity they need to ensure people leave custody with appropriate support.”

Notes to editors

1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison.
2. For more information about the prison overcrowding crisis, read the explainer article ‘Why are prisons overcrowded?’

Contact

Noor Khan
Press and Public Affairs Officer
Tel: +44 (0)20 7241 7873
Email: [email protected]