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Anna Lewis and Dan Moffat from BBC Wales have reported on the case of Leroy Douglas, a Cardiff man who has been in prison since 2005 after stealing a mobile phone. Leroy remains in custody due to an indeterminate sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP), despite being handed a minimum term of two-and-a-half years in 2005. Campaigners are now calling for resentencing of those currently serving an IPP, following the abolition of the controversial measure in 2012.
The Ministry of Justice disclosed that the highest annual number of IPP prisoners on record were released last year, with additional support provided to those in custody. IPPs were intended for detaining offenders considered a “significant” risk to public safety but faced criticism for being issued for less serious offenses. Individuals sentenced with an IPP must serve a minimum term before being evaluated for release by the parole board, with the possibility of being recalled to prison if they breach license conditions upon release.
Leroy Douglas’ father expressed concern over his son’s prolonged imprisonment, stating that Leroy was a “normal kid” who ended up in trouble due to bad influences. Despite expectations of a short sentence, Leroy was given an IPP for stealing a mobile phone in 2005, to the surprise of his family. Leroy’s father highlighted the toll his son’s incarceration has taken on the entire family, especially following the loss of loved ones while Leroy has been in custody.
Criminal barrister Andrew Taylor criticized IPP sentences as “draconian and unfair,” advocating for a large-scale resentencing of individuals subjected to them. Taylor highlighted the detrimental impact IPPs have on prisoners, leading to hopelessness and potentially violent behavior within prisons. Campaigners have called for the abolition of IPP sentences retroactively and for affected individuals to undergo resentencing, aiming to rectify what they perceive as one of the greatest miscarriages of justice
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