01 June 2026
Updated guide on terminating IPP and DPP licences
Provisions in the Sentencing Act 2026 which alter the qualifying period and process for licence review of people serving IPP and DPP sentences come into force today (1 June 2026).
To reflect these changes, we have updated our ‘how-to’ guide on IPP licence termination.
The main changes are:
- the “qualifying period” for licence termination will be reduced from three years to two years for IPP sentences – making this the same period as for DPP sentences.
- There will also be a right to apply for a licence termination review for those who have had one continuous year on licence since their last annual termination review.
The guide is intended to help those serving IPPs, and their family and friends understand the process. It explains when and how a person serving an IPP or DPP sentence can get their licence terminated.
The guide is a joint publication between the Howard League, the Prison Reform Trust, Prisoners’ Advice Service and Dr Laura Janes KC (Hon).
