Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP)
Thousands of people remain in prison, held not for what they have done, but for what they might do. This section highlights our work towards ending this injustice.
What is the IPP?
The indeterminate sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) was introduced in England and Wales in 2005. It was intended for people considered ‘dangerous’ but whose offence did not merit a life sentence.
In common with the life sentence it contains three elements.
- A minimum term that a person must spend in prison, judged to be a just dessert for the crime committed.
- Detention in prison for a potentially unlimited period until the person can prove that they are no longer a threat to the public.
- Release back into the community on licence, with the potential of being returned to custody.
What's the issue?
The IPP was intended for people considered dangerous but whose offence did not merit a life sentence. However, it became increasingly clear that the sentence was having severe and unforeseen consequence, with people being held in prison many years beyond their minimum term.
Whilst the sentence was eventually abolished in 2012, this was not retrospective, meaning that today thousands of people remain in prison yet to be released. Those in the community remain subject to a potentially indefinite period of supervision with the risk of recall to custody if the conditions of their licence are breached. PRT continues to press for a fair and just outcome for these individuals who were left out of the government’s decision to abolish the IPP.
Latest news & updates: IPPs
View all news and updates
Modest but welcome progress in the long journey for IPP reform
Sophie Ellis and Mark Day analyse the annual report on the IPP action plan
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IPP reform – a case study in achieving change
PRT’s deputy director Mark Day considers lessons from the campaign on the Victims and Prisoners Act
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House of Lords to debate the IPP annual report
Briefing published to assist peers ahead of debate on reducing the number of IPP prisoners
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PRT comment: Timetable for IPP licence reforms
A welcome first step towards correcting the lingering injustice of the discredited IPP sentence
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New joint guide on IPP licence termination published
Practical ‘how-to’ guide on IPP licence termination published ahead of introduction of reforms
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House of Lords votes for important amendments on IPP sentences
Changes will make real difference to people serving on licence and those recalled to custody
Our publications
View all- July 2024 Terminating your IPP licence: a legal guide To help those serving IPPs, and their family and friends, the Howard League, together with Dr Laura ... Terminating your IPP licence: a legal guide
- October 2022 Making Progress? What progression means for people serving the longest sentences This report presents the findings of a prisoner consultation carried out by PRT’s Building Futures... Making Progress? What progression means for people serving the longest sentences
- December 2020 No life, no freedom, no future: The experiences of people recalled whilst serving IPP sentences This report explores the experiences of people recalled back to prison whilst serving an IPP sentenc... No life, no freedom, no future: The experiences of people recalled whilst serving IPP sentences
- March 2020 IPP sentences: the facts In this short briefing we explain more about the IPP sentence and its continuing legacy. IPP sentences: the facts
