The Abolition of IPP Sentences

The IPP was imposed on those offenders who were considered ‘dangerous’ but did not meet the test for the imposition of a life sentence. This has subsequently been replaced by the imposition of either an extended determinate sentence or a discretionary life sentence.

An IPP sentence meant that whilst a Defendant would serve a specified period of imprisonment, they were liable to an indefinite licence period whereas with a normal determinate sentence the licence period is limited to the total length of the sentence.

An indefinite licence period means that an individual can also be recalled to prison indefinitely at the discretion of the probation service. Their release is then governed by the Parole Board and many individuals require repeated applications to be granted parole from an IPP sentence.

In 2022, a report prepared described the sentences as being “irredeemably flawed” and said the sentences “fuelled feelings of hopelessness and despair as well as high levels of self-harm and some suicides among prisoners”. In the report prepared by the Justice Select Committee the government was asked that all IPP prisoners to be resentenced – but this was rejected by the government.

As of 30 September there were 2,921 IPP prisoners, 1,269 of whom have never been released, with the remaining 1,652 having been recalled to custody.



The measures proposed by the government mean that IPP prisoners will now be given an end date for their sentence, rather than the sentence simply being left to continue.