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The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has recently referred five individuals serving indefinite sentences to the Court of Appeal, according to information obtained by BBC Newsnight. These prisoners are serving Indeterminate Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, a form of sentencing that was abolished in 2012 but still affects approximately 2,800 people. The IPP sentences were originally designed for those deemed dangerous yet whose offenses did not justify a life sentence.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice remarked, “It is right that IPP sentences were abolished and we have already taken action to support these offenders to move on.” Alongside this, Dame Vera Baird, Interim Chair of the CCRC, revealed that the commission had also referred its first case involving a victim of grooming gang offenses in an effort to have her conviction overturned.
Legislative changes have been introduced to help those serving IPP sentences in the community, allowing for a more rapid consideration of licence termination. Dame Vera noted that the five men being referred were sentenced in their late teens between 2002 and 2010, and remained incarcerated long after. She stated, “They’ve let three lads out on similar appeals at similar ages, and we think that these five men might be able to fit into those chinks, and they might broaden them.” Additionally, Dame Vera observed a shift in the Court of Appeal’s approach, recognizing that young men at the time of sentencing are very different from mature adults.
BBC Newsnight spoke with Matthew Booth, now 34, who was given an IPP sentence at age 15 after being convicted of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding. He spent over six years in prison before being recalled multiple times for breaching licence conditions, including failing to declare a relationship. Booth expressed his view, saying, “I don’t think any child should get IPP because of what you go through.” He described the experience as one filled with hopelessness and a lack of support. Dame Vera aligned with this sentiment, highlighting that the IPP sentences were based on predictions of future risk rather than just the offenses committed, leading to profound despair for those sentenced. “These are sentences which just bring people into hopelessness,” she said.
In November, the government announced it would issue automatic pardons to survivors of grooming gangs who were convicted or cautioned as children for loitering and soliciting for prostitution offenses. However, this measure has been criticized for having too narrow a definition to assist many affected individuals. Dame Vera urged victims to come forward, emphasizing that many groomed individuals end up with convictions despite not willingly engaging in such activities. She explained that the CCRC is collaborating with charities supporting grooming survivors to identify those who have convictions, stressing the importance of these individuals stepping forward for help
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