Written Evidence Feb. 04 2025
Inquiry: Rehabilitation and resettlement: ending the cycle of reoffendingFound: by supervision on release from prison.
Asked by: Lord Moylan (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Timpson on 29 July 2024 (HL68), when they intend to launch the review of the sentencing framework mentioned in the Answer, and what attention they will give to aligning the licence conditions for those subject to (1) 'two-strike' life sentences, and (2) imprisonment for public protection sentences.
Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The Government launched an Independent Review of Sentencing in October 2024, chaired by former Lord Chancellor David Gauke, to review the sentencing framework to ensure we are never again forced to rely on the emergency release of prisoners. The Review is considering options following three core principles: sentences must punish offenders and protect the public; sentences should encourage prisoners to turn their backs on a life of crime; and we must make greater use of punishment outside of prison. On 18 February 2025, the Review published Part 1 of its report, which sets out the history and trends in sentencing that contributed to the pressures on our prisons. The review has been asked to consider the framework around longer sentences, including life sentences.
However, the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence is not within the scope of the review. I look forward to seeing the Review’s recommendations when it reports in the Spring.
The mandatory life sentence for a second serious offence, also known as the ‘two-strikes’ life sentence, was introduced in 1997, and meant that judges had to impose a life sentence on anyone convicted of a second specified offence, unless there were exceptional circumstances. As with other types of life sentence, offenders under the two-strikes life sentence are given a minimum term, and then, if they are released by the Parole Board, they will be subject to licence conditions for the rest of their life.
The IPP sentence was an indeterminate sentence in use from 2005 to 2012. It was intended as a means of managing high-risk prisoners who did not meet the criteria for a life sentence. An IPP sentence was imposed where an offender was convicted of a serious specified violent or sexual offence, committed on or after the 4 April 2005, for which the penalty was 10 years or more and where, in the Court’s opinion, the offender posed a risk of harm to the public.
Unlike the IPP sentence, where the licence can be terminated either by the Parole Board at the end of the qualifying period, or after a further two years in the community on licence, the ‘two-strike’ sentence is a life sentence and has an indefinite licence period. There is no provision for a life sentence to be terminated and therefore, the IPP measures relating to licence termination are not applicable to ‘two-strike’ life sentence offenders.
As with all life sentenced prisoners, HM Prison and Probation Service supports those serving ‘two-strikes’ life sentences to reduce their risk to meet the Parole Board’s statutory release test when they become eligible for release. If released, they remain on life licence. The Government has no plans to change licence conditions for life sentences.
Written Evidence Feb. 11 2025
Inquiry: Rehabilitation and resettlement: ending the cycle of reoffendingFound: to community treatment and supporting those on community sentences (e.g.
Apr. 24 2025
Source Page: Offender management statistics quarterly: October to December 2024Found: Cover Prison Releases: January to December 2024 Publication details These tables are published as part
Asked by: Ian Byrne (Labour - Liverpool West Derby)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an estimate of the number of people that died of natural courses in prison while serving an indeterminate sentence for public protection in 2024.
Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The total number of prisoners who died of natural causes1,2 whilst in custody3,4 whilst serving an indeterminate sentence for public protection, January 2024 to December 2024, England and Wales.
| Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 |
Total | 12 |
It is right that IPP sentences were abolished in 2012. The Government is committed to working with organisations and campaign groups to ensure the appropriate course of action is taken to support those still serving IPP sentences.
Data Sources and Quality
Deaths figures are derived from the HMPPS Deaths in Prison Custody database. As classification of deaths may change following inquest or as new information emerges, numbers may change from time to time.
(1) Apparent cause is based on the HMPPS classification of deaths in prison custody
(2) Figures for deaths during previous years may change due to late notifications and changes in classification following an inquest, which may not be concluded for several years after the death, so it is likely that numbers in some categories will be revised once classifications have been finalised. Prisoner information can occasionally be updated after death when improved data becomes available
(3) Figures include incidents during contracted out escorts
(4) Deaths in prison custody figures include all deaths of prisoners arising from incidents during prison custody. They include deaths of prisoners while released on temporary license (ROTL) for medical reasons but exclude other types of ROTL where the state has less direct responsibility.
Mentions:
1: Robert Jenrick (Con - Newark) The threshold for a prison sentence is already high. - Speech Link
2: Shabana Mahmood (Lab - Birmingham Ladywood) the prison system can be helped to turn their back on crime. - Speech Link
3: Paula Barker (Lab - Liverpool Wavertree) , irrespective of the prison places crisis? - Speech Link
4: Rebecca Paul (Con - Reigate) Prison officers do an important job, and I thank every officer at Downview Prison in Banstead. - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames (LD - Life peer) Lord Chancellor was reportedly incandescent that the new guideline appeared to suggest that lighter sentences - Speech Link
2: Lord Timpson (Lab - Life peer) kindness to me many years ago in helping me get going when I first started recruiting people from prison - Speech Link
3: Lord Timpson (Lab - Life peer) Our focus needs to be on having good pre-sentence reports and, when people leave prison and custody, - Speech Link
Apr. 17 2025
Source Page: Letter dated 14/04/2025 from Lord Timpson to Lord Bishop of Gloucester regarding a parliamentary question on imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences: steps the Government is taking to ensure that those eligible to terminate their licence conditions understand their rights and can exercise them. 2p.Found: 14 April 2025 Dear Lord Bishop, IMPRISONMENT FOR PUBLIC PROTECTION (IPP) SENTENCES
Mentions:
1: Baroness Newlove (Con - Life peer) Prison governors are responsible for selecting offenders who are suitable for the scheme. - Speech Link
2: None My main point concerns the prison population overall. - Speech Link
3: None building cannot meet the projected rise in prison demand. - Speech Link
4: None We should be working towards achieving a civilised and civilising prison estate. - Speech Link
Written Evidence Feb. 11 2025
Inquiry: Rehabilitation and resettlement: ending the cycle of reoffendingFound: (RAR0081) Introduction I am co-founder of Restore Support Network – representing older people in prison