Imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences were indeterminate sentences given to serious offenders who posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public. They were rolled out in 2005 but later abolished in 2012.

 

The courts imposed a total of 8,711 IPP sentences (some offenders received more than one). Although it is more than decade since they were abolished, thousands of people are still in prison serving an IPP sentence. The most recent prison population data shows that on 31 March 2023, there were 1,355 offenders serving an IPP sentence who had never been released from prison.

 

Sarah’s son Sam has been in prison for over ten years. He was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for arson. He set fire to his bed in his family home during a drug induced psychosis, he put his own life and that of his families in danger and he has apologised, every single day since, for doing so.

 

Sam has had his parole denied for 6 years. He is a drug addict and as such in the past , he has regularly failed routine drugs tests and had spats with fellow inmates. He suffers with poor mental health and Sarah is constantly anxious about receiving a call that he has passed away. Sarah contacted me for support quite recently as she was wishing to discuss an action plan that had been published in April from the House of Lords discussing processing these prisoners and ending these cruel and inhumane sentences. We discussed at length the impact that this has had on her life and that of her family. She is absolutely convinced that if Sam was given an opportunity to prove himself in the community with the support from his family, probation and placed on a substance abuse program, that he will recover. There are a number of organisations with whom I am affiliated and I have seen a reasonable amount of success stories from those who have approached their MP for supporting parole applications. I advised Sarah to contact a group who facilitate sending lobbying letters and assist with appropriate content. His next parole meeting is in February next year. He is currently 63 days drug free, he calls his mum every day to tell her “another day clean”. He is maintaining this because he is desperate to have a life beyond his past.

 

The support for Sarah, at this time, is minimal due to her having lived this journey for so long now. Once Sam is released the support will become very important. Assisting her with a new set of challenges that arise post release will be our number one priority. She will need advice about probation, benefits, housing, substance abuse, mental health and many other factors that will impact both of their lives. So for now, I check in on her every few weeks simply to let her know that we are still there to support her, at any time.

 

Sarah has also offered to be a moderator on the Unseen Victims Facebook page and offer support to other loved ones whose lives have been affected by IPP sentences.