Prime minister to end indefinite jail terms for IPP prisoners
The prime minister has announced he will end the injustice of indefinite jail terms in this parliament in a major victory for victims of the scandal, reports BritPanorama.
Andy Burnham stated that he has taken a “common sense” approach to Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, expressing his “long-standing concerns” regarding the issue.
The move to address IPP comes as the government plans to release other prisoners early, including two of the killers of Pc Andrew Harper.
In comments to the BBC, Burnham expressed frustration over the existing policy, saying, “I was faced with a situation where people on those sentences who have more than served their time, not being released when others who’ve committed very serious crimes being released early.” He added, “The judgement I’ve made is the public, in my view, would prefer a situation where people who have served their time to be considered for release before those who haven’t.”
The call to review IPP sentences aligns with ongoing efforts to reform the justice system and address the plight of thousands who continue to await release dates.
As the government moves forward with this overhaul, questions surrounding the broader implications for victims and the justice system remain significant.
