Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Third Report - IPP sentences
Justice Committee
HC 266
Published 28 September 2022
Recommendations
2
Accepted
Para 39
Develop new IPP Action Plan including performance measures, accountable owners, and timeframes
Recommendation
We recommend the MoJ and HMPPS develop a new action plan, which should include clear performance measures for each of its workstreams. The new action plan should also, against each workstream, include an accountable owner for the workstream, and a …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the issue but largely details existing work and initiatives to improve mental health support for all prisoners, including IPP offenders, and mentions the recently published draft Mental Health Bill, rather than committing to a new IPP-specific action plan.
Ministry of Justice
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5
Accepted
Para 71
Ensure sufficient availability of courses for IPP prisoners, reduce waiting lists and improve placements
Recommendation
We are concerned to hear that the availability of appropriate courses for IPP prisoners is limited. The MoJ and HMPPS must ensure that there are enough places on courses available to all those who need them. As part of the …
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Government Response Summary
The government defends its accredited programme evaluation approach and highlights that Professor Moran's evaluation of the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway was published in October 2022. It does not commit to new specific actions to expand course provision, reduce waiting lists, or ensure appropriate prison placements for IPP prisoners.
Ministry of Justice
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7
Accepted
Publish Professor Moran's report and ensure all IPP programmes deliver adequate outcomes for prisoners
Recommendation
The Government should publish the commissioned report from Professor Paul Moran into the Offender Personality Disorder pathway by December 2022. In addition, the MoJ and HMPPS should set out what work is being done to ensure that all programmes delivered …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated Professor Paul Moran’s report on the Offender Personality Disorder Pathway was published on Gov.uk on October 13, 2022. It also commits to reviewing current IPP prisoner case management in custody and refreshing guidance on IPP Progression Panels.
Ministry of Justice
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14
Accepted
Para 128
Recall of IPP sentenced individuals presents growing problem for resettlement and reintegration
Recommendation
As set out earlier in this Report, the recall of IPP sentenced individuals is a growing problem. IPP prisoners face particular challenges with resettlement, and careful consideration must therefore be given as to how they are prepared for their release …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation, highlighting a £550m investment from 2021 to improve access to employment, housing, and health services for prison leavers, including IPP offenders. They detail programs like the Prisoner Education Service, Banking and ID Administrators, Community Accommodation Service Tier 3, and the use of Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) to support reintegration.
Ministry of Justice
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15
Accepted
Provide updates on IPP prisoner resettlement, detailing Resettlement Passports and pre-release preparation
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all prison leavers leave prison with the basics, such as ID and a bank account, and ask that updates on this programme of work be provided to us. We would also welcome …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendations, detailing a £550m investment for prison leavers, including IPP prisoners, and outlining specific initiatives such as the Prisoner Education Service, banking and ID administrators, temporary accommodation via CAS3, and the use of ROTL for resettlement.
Ministry of Justice
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Conclusions (4)
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 38
Given the extensive and complex nature of the challenges faced by IPP sentenced individuals, we find the absence of detail in the IPP Action Plan surprising. It lacks a clear strategic priority and ownership, as well as operational detail, timeframes, and performance measures.
Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the recommendation and has commenced a review of the IPP Action Plan. They commit to providing full details of the refreshed action plan and associated governance within the committee's timeframe.
3
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 58
The psychological harm caused by IPP sentences is a considerable barrier to progression for some IPP prisoners. The indefinite nature of the sentence has contributed to feelings of hopelessness and despair that has resulted in high levels of self-harm and some suicides within the IPP population. In addition to this, …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the difficulty of returning prisoners to prison from secure hospitals and states that HMPPS and MoJ are working with DHSC and NHSE to improve the operational delivery of these returns, drawing on learning from the Long-Term High Security Estate.
8
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 93
Our inquiry has highlighted wider resource issues within the Probation Service and the Parole Board. We have heard about frequent delays, untrained Parole Board members, frequent changes in professionals essential to the parole process, uncertainty following a negative parole decision and issues with the probation service. For the reasons set …
Government Response Summary
The government details existing measures to address staffing challenges within the Probation Service and commits to reviewing current case management practices for IPP prisoners in custody and refreshing guidance on IPP Progression Panels.
11
Conclusion
Accepted
Furthermore, we support a reduction of the qualifying licence period from 10 years to five years. This change would go some way to restoring proportionality to the IPP sentence. The MoJ should initiate legislation to this effect as soon as possible. (Paragraph 105) 60 IPP sentences
Government Response Summary
The government did not commit to reducing the qualifying licence period for IPP sentences, instead detailing existing and ongoing resettlement initiatives and investments, such as a £550m investment, the Prisoner Education Service, CAS3, and ROTL, aimed at supporting prison leavers including IPP offenders.