UN Experts Demand UK Review Indefinite IPP Sentences Over Mental Harm
UN experts call on UK to resentence those still detained under abolished IPP orders.
Why it matters: Long-term indefinite detention under IPP sentences raises critical legal, human rights, and criminal justice issues for the UK, impacting legal advocacy and prisoner welfare.
- Around 2,400 individuals remain imprisoned under the IPP system abolished in 2012.
- Nearly 75% of these prisoners have served over a decade longer than their original tariff periods.
- The House of Commons Justice Committee called IPP sentences 'irredeemably flawed' and urges comprehensive re-sentencing.
- The Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred multiple IPP cases to the Court of Appeal, including cases of nearly 20 years beyond minimum terms.
The UN human rights experts have urged the UK government to urgently review and resentence individuals still subject to Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, citing "severe psychological harm" inflicted by prolonged indefinite detention. The IPP sentence, introduced in 2005 under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, was abolished in 2012 but thousands remain incarcerated under these orders, some detained nearly 20 years beyond their minimum terms.
Approximately 2,400 individuals still serve IPP sentences despite the scheme’s abolition. Nearly all have served beyond their original tariffs, with almost three-quarters held more than a decade longer than the punishment originally imposed by sentencing courts.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has repeatedly referred IPP cases to the Court of Appeal, highlighting cases where prisoners remain nearly 20 years beyond their minimum terms.
In a recent report, the House of Commons Justice Committee labelled IPP sentences “irredeemably flawed” and called for a comprehensive re-sentencing programme to address the ongoing crisis.
UN experts warned, “Thousands of people remain trapped in prisons under a scheme that Parliament itself abolished more than a decade ago.” Mark Day, Deputy Director of the Prison Reform Trust, described the UN’s call as a wake-up call for government reform.
By the numbers:
- 2,400 — individuals still imprisoned under the IPP system.
- Nearly 75% — IPP prisoners held more than a decade beyond their original tariff.
- 2005 and 2012 — years of IPP introduction and abolition respectively.
Yes, but: There is limited public information on the UK government’s current plans responding to these calls or detailed mental health outcome data comparing IPP prisoners to other groups.
What's next: Further legal challenges and potential resentence reviews are expected following the House of Commons Justice Committee’s report and increased UN pressure.