Abdullahi Suleman, a prisoner from Cardiff, remains in jail after serving almost five times his original sentence for the robbery of a laptop. In 2005, Suleman was given an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence, where less serious offenders were getting caught up in the provision. These were given out between 2005 and 2012 to keep the most dangerous criminals behind bars. However, they were scrapped after criticism and Suleman is one of the 2,734 prisoners who remain incarcerated after receiving an IPP sentence – 1,132 of whom have never been released.
Suleman’s wife, Bernadette Emerson, states that the time since he has been imprisoned is known to him as the “stolen years”. Not only has he missed seeing his three children grow up, but he is also denied treatment for bipolar disorder, which he was diagnosed with in 2004. This factor has played a significant role in Suleman remaining in jail for as long as he has.
Shaun Lloyd, also given an IPP sentence, has been recalled to prison every 18 months since his imprisonment and been detained for nearly a year each time. Lloyd has become depressed and suicidal, causing him to become addicted to prescription opioids. He has been unable to move forward with his life and his IPP sentence has essentially given him a life sentence.
Michael Roberts received an IPP sentence for armed robbery in 2006. He was told he had to serve a minimum of three-and-a-half years in prison, and he was released five years later. Since his release, he has been recalled to prison five times for spells lasting between seven and 14 months. The first recall happened two months after his release due to further allegations, for which he was found not guilty. His IPP sentence has made it impossible for him to move on with his life.
The IPP sentence was introduced in 2005 to keep serious offenders in prison for as long as they posed a significant risk to society, but it has had unintended consequences. IPP prisoners can only be released on licence if the Parole Board believes they do not pose a risk to public safety. Criminal justice experts and campaigners have criticised the legislation and called for radical reforms
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