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
Clarity needed on changes to eligibility for open conditions
Read our letter to the prisons minister seeking clarity on changes to open prison criteria
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PCSC Bill – government promises amendment on IPP licence review
Amendments on IPPs were debated yesterday in the House of Lords report stage debate on the Police, C...
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The PCSC Bill is an opportunity to correct the injustice of the IPP sentence
Ahead of next week’s House of Lords report stage debate on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Court...
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PRT provides evidence to Justice Committee IPP inquiry
This week PRT director Peter Dawson and research officer Dr Mia Harris gave oral evidence along with...
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Supporting amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill
Ahead of next Monday’s House of Lords Committee Stage debate, we’ve published two joint briefing...
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PRT comment: Justice Committee inquiry on IPPs
Commenting on the announcement today (21 September) that the House of Commons Justice Committee has ...
Our publications
View all publications- 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
- November 2019 A Helping Hand: Supporting families in the resettlement of people serving IPPs The indeterminate sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) was created in 2003. Over 8,0... A Helping Hand: Supporting families in the resettlement of people serving IPPs
- July 2010 Unjust Deserts: imprisonment for public protection This report reviews the implications of the sentence of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) for... Unjust Deserts: imprisonment for public protection
