Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences

Justice Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 21 Sep 2021 Closed: 30 May 2024 Parliament page
Following the announcement that a General Election will be held on 4 July, Select Committees will be unable to meet from 24 May and will cease to exist from 30 May until after the General Election. This work has therefore closed. As of 30 June 2021, more than 1,700 people … Read more
15 Recommendations
7 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
26 Apr
2023
Correspondence
9 Feb
2023
Report published
19 Oct
2022
Correspondence
28 Sep
2022
Report published
21 Jan
2022
Correspondence
14 Dec
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
7 Dec
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
23 Nov
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - IPP sentences HC 266 28 Sep 2022 22 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
9 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - IPP sentences
IPP Action Plan lacks strategic priority, operational detail, timeframes, and performance measures
Given the extensive and complex nature of the challenges faced by IPP sentenced individuals, we find the absence of detail in the IPP Action Plan surprising. It lacks a clear strategic priority and ownership, as well as operational detail, timeframes, … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the recommendation and has commenced a review of the IPP Action Plan. They commit to providing full details of the refreshed action plan and associated governance within the committee's timeframe.
Ministry of Justice
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2 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - IPP sentences
Develop new IPP Action Plan including performance measures, accountable owners, and timeframes
We recommend the MoJ and HMPPS develop a new action plan, which should include clear performance measures for each of its workstreams. The new action plan should also, against each workstream, include an accountable owner for the workstream, and a … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the issue but largely details existing work and initiatives to improve mental health support for all prisoners, including IPP offenders, and mentions the recently published draft Mental Health Bill, rather than committing to a new IPP-specific action plan.
Ministry of Justice
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3 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - IPP sentences
IPP sentences inflict psychological harm, creating barriers to prisoner progression and trust
The psychological harm caused by IPP sentences is a considerable barrier to progression for some IPP prisoners. The indefinite nature of the sentence has contributed to feelings of hopelessness and despair that has resulted in high levels of self-harm and … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the difficulty of returning prisoners to prison from secure hospitals and states that HMPPS and MoJ are working with DHSC and NHSE to improve the operational delivery of these returns, drawing on learning from the Long-Term High Security Estate.
Ministry of Justice
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - IPP sentences
Ensure sufficient availability of courses for IPP prisoners, reduce waiting lists and improve placements
We are concerned to hear that the availability of appropriate courses for IPP prisoners is limited. The MoJ and HMPPS must ensure that there are enough places on courses available to all those who need them. As part of the … Read more
Government Response
The government defends its accredited programme evaluation approach and highlights that Professor Moran's evaluation of the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway was published in October 2022. It does not commit to new specific actions to expand course provision, reduce waiting lists, or ensure appropriate prison placements for IPP prisoners.
Ministry of Justice
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7 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - IPP sentences
Publish Professor Moran's report and ensure all IPP programmes deliver adequate outcomes for prisoners
The Government should publish the commissioned report from Professor Paul Moran into the Offender Personality Disorder pathway by December 2022. In addition, the MoJ and HMPPS should set out what work is being done to ensure that all programmes delivered … Read more
Government Response
The government stated Professor Paul Moran’s report on the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway was published on Gov.uk on October 13, 2022. It also commits to reviewing current IPP prisoner case management in custody and refreshing guidance on IPP Progression Panels.
Ministry of Justice
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8 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - IPP sentences
Ineffective parole process for IPP offenders creates significant barriers due to resource issues
Our inquiry has highlighted wider resource issues within the Probation Service and the Parole Board. We have heard about frequent delays, untrained Parole Board members, frequent changes in professionals essential to the parole process, uncertainty following a negative parole decision … Read more
Government Response
The government details existing measures to address staffing challenges within the Probation Service and commits to reviewing current case management practices for IPP prisoners in custody and refreshing guidance on IPP Progression Panels.
Ministry of Justice
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11 Conclusion Accepted
Third Report - IPP sentences
Initiate legislation to reduce the qualifying IPP licence period from 10 to five years
Furthermore, we support a reduction of the qualifying licence period from 10 years to five years. This change would go some way to restoring proportionality to the IPP sentence. The MoJ should initiate legislation to this effect as soon as … Read more
Government Response
The government did not commit to reducing the qualifying licence period for IPP sentences, instead detailing existing and ongoing resettlement initiatives and investments, such as a £550m investment, the Prisoner Education Service, CAS3, and ROTL, aimed at supporting prison leavers including IPP offenders.
Ministry of Justice
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14 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - IPP sentences
Recall of IPP sentenced individuals presents growing problem for resettlement and reintegration
As set out earlier in this Report, the recall of IPP sentenced individuals is a growing problem. IPP prisoners face particular challenges with resettlement, and careful consideration must therefore be given as to how they are prepared for their release … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, highlighting a £550m investment from 2021 to improve access to employment, housing, and health services for prison leavers, including IPP offenders. They detail programs like the Prisoner Education Service, Banking and ID Administrators, Community Accommodation Service Tier 3, and the use of Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) to support reintegration.
Ministry of Justice
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15 Recommendation Accepted
Third Report - IPP sentences
Provide updates on IPP prisoner resettlement, detailing Resettlement Passports and pre-release preparation
We welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all prison leavers leave prison with the basics, such as ID and a bank account, and ask that updates on this programme of work be provided to us. We would also welcome … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendations, detailing a £550m investment for prison leavers, including IPP prisoners, and outlining specific initiatives such as the Prisoner Education Service, banking and ID administrators, temporary accommodation via CAS3, and the use of ROTL for resettlement.
Ministry of Justice
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Government Response AI assessment · 22 of 15 classified
Accepted 9
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 2
Deferred 3
Rejected 7
Total 15 recs + 7 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
26 Apr 2023 To committee Letter from Alex Chalk KC MP, Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Justice, dated 26 April 2023, on the Imprisonment for Public Protection Action Plan
Parliament page
19 Oct 2022 To committee Letter from Brandon Lewis CBE MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, dated 18 October 2022, on the IPP sentences report
Parliament page
21 Jan 2022 Open letter on IPP inquiry
Parliament page