I've said it before - release all IPP prisoners tomorrow.

www.theguardian.com/law/2024/apr/28/uk-p...ng-held-for-17-years

Totally agree. They were/are a disgrace.

But that article needs some serious fact-checking. You could not get an IPP for low level offences like stealing a mobile - you had to commit an offence from a schedule of violent or sexual offences that could attract at maximum 10 years custody or more.

Like you WYOT I don't trust either side of media coverage (Hamas/Israel) but I met many in prison who were simply not guilty of their convictions. Most were guilty of minor versions (as indeed was I - breaking the age of consent laws at the time) but exaggerations, inflation and colouring up by media, police, lawyers and judges had changed the "crimes" completely. The way the wording of stealing a mobile phone can be turned into many other crimes (attempted rape?) is fascinating.

JK2006 wrote:


The way the wording of stealing a mobile phone can be turned into many other crimes (attempted rape?) is fascinating.

Indeed. It could also be a street robbery involving a knife (which could attract an IPP, especially with relevant previous). The dear old Guardian know what they are doing though...

And I will forgive them in this instance as Jack Straw's IPPs were monstrously cruel and ill thought out. With interventions in custody that the parole board would be looking for people to complete to be let out, not available. And some people's mental health and behaviour deteriorating under these sentences so badly that the resulting violent behaviour inside means they will struggle to ever get out.

I agree the only answer is to let all remaining cases over tariff out.