UK Prisoners Serving IPP Sentences Endure Psychological Torture: UN Report Raises Concerns
Long Sentences for Minor Crimes Keep Britain's Most Wronged Inmates Behind Bars for Decades
In a damning report released by the United Nations, concerns have been raised over the plight of UK prisoners serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, highlighting the psychological torture they endure. This issue has gained prominence due to the case of Thomas White, a UK man imprisoned since 2012 for stealing a mobile phone. His prolonged incarceration for what appears to be a minor offence has sparked outrage and calls for reform.
The United Nations has taken note of such cases, emphasising the psychological harm inflicted upon those imprisoned under the IPP system. The UN report highlights the need for a thorough review of these sentences, calling them a form of "psychological torture." It points to the importance of establishing clear guidelines for the release of IPP prisoners and ensuring that their sentences align with the seriousness of their crimes.
What is an IPP sentence?
Introduced in the UK in 2005, it was intended for dangerous offenders who did not warrant a life sentence. However, this system led to the indefinite detention of individuals deemed a societal threat. Originally designed for approximately 800 serious offenders, IPP sentences ended up being applied to an astonishing 8,711 individuals, with minimum terms ranging from 28 days to two years.
Although IPP sentences were abolished in 2012, thousands of prisoners remain trapped in an ongoing cycle of incarceration due to the ambiguous nature of their sentences and no retroactive changes in the law. As of last year, 2,892 prisoners were still serving IPP sentences. ITV News reports that these "torture sentences" have left Britain's most wronged inmates languishing in prisons for minor offenses.
Human rights organisations and legal experts are now urging the UK government to promptly address this issue, contending that the current system not only violates fundamental principles of justice but also inflicts severe psychological harm on those subjected to it. In response to the UN report, the UK government has committed to reviewing the IPP sentencing system. It is hoped that this review will lead to a more just and equitable approach to sentencing, ensuring that individuals are not subjected to psychological torture and excessively long periods of incarceration for minor offenses.
As the case of Thomas White continues to garner attention, it serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for reform within the UK's criminal justice system. The call for change is growing louder, as the nation grapples with the consequences of a system that has left some of its citizens trapped behind bars for far longer than their crimes warrant.
