Some relief for IPP offenders

The Act falls short of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) campaigners’ demands for resentencing for all IPP prisoners, who are serving indeterminate sentences dependent on the Parole Board for release. However, it provides for referrals to the Parole Board three years rather than ten years after a prisoner’s first release.

Richard Garside, director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, said the reforms were ‘small but important’.

Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: ‘While we did not support changes to parole decision making, we were pleased that the Bill was amended so that instead of giving the Secretary of State the power to intervene in parole cases involving serious offenders, the Secretary of State will have the power to refer a case to the Upper Tribunal or High Court.’