WALES is home to a hidden crisis within the UK’s justice system — a crisis that is claiming lives. The legacy of Indeterminate Sentences for Public Protection (IPP) continues to devastate families across the country. Though the sentences were abolished in 2012, thousands remain trapped under the provisions of this discredited system. The IPP scheme, introduced in 2005, imposed sentences with no fixed release date, leaving prisoners to serve beyond their minimum tariffs, some indefinitely. For many, the uncertainty has led to despair, with over 90 suicides linked to the mental toll of these sentences. Wales has not been spared from this grim reality.
Two high-profile Welsh cases highlight the devastation caused by IPP.
Sean Davies, a 30-year-old Welshman, took his own life in February 2023 after serving over 11 years under an IPP sentence. Davies had originally been sentenced to a five-year minimum term in 2012 for violent offences. By the time of his death, he had served more than double that time, despite becoming eligible for parole in 2017. The psychological toll of his indefinite sentence became unbearable when the government rejected recommendations to review and potentially resentence IPP prisoners. In his suicide note, Davies expressed his hopelessness and frustration at the lack of progress in his case, stating that he saw “no chance of being released.” He hoped his death would spur changes to the laws governing IPP sentences, so that others might not face the same fate.
Sean’s case is not isolated. Another male prisoner, Taylor, took his own life after serving over 14 years of an IPP sentence. Like Davies, Taylor had experienced repeated delays and setbacks during parole hearings, with new conditions often imposed that felt impossible to meet. The constant moving of the goalposts contributed to his growing despair, leading to the same tragic conclusion. Taylor’s death, too, illustrates the systemic failure to provide clarity or hope to those trapped under IPP.
Despite its abolition in 2012, IPP continues to affect nearly 3,000 prisoners across England and Wales, many of whom have served well beyond their original sentences. More than 700 prisoners have served at least 10 years longer than their minimum tariffs. In Wales, the injustice of IPP is felt deeply, with many prisoners and their families living in limbo, uncertain when — or if — freedom will come.
The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, scheduled to come into force in November, offers some hope of reform. One key change is that IPP prisoners who have been in the community for at least five years without recall will automatically be considered for licence termination. This could be a lifeline for many who have reintegrated into society but remain under the burden of stringent licence conditions, with the constant threat of being recalled to prison for minor infractions. However, questions remain over how effectively these changes will be implemented and whether they will truly alleviate the suffering of IPP prisoners.
The Parole Board and probation services will continue to play central roles in determining the futures of these prisoners. Many campaigners argue that probation officers hold too much power in this process, with their risk assessments often carrying undue weight. Critics contend that parole decisions should rest solely with the Parole Board, which is better equipped to make informed judgments based on legal principles, rather than the subjective opinions of probation officers.
Numerous individuals and organisations have mobilised to campaign against IPP sentences in Wales. UNGRIPP (United Group for Reform of IPP), a grassroots organisation led by families of IPP prisoners, plays a pivotal role. They advocate for the resentencing of all IPP prisoners and raise awareness of the mental and emotional toll these sentences take, including the tragically high suicide rate.
Another campaign group, IPP Committee in Action, co-founded by Shirley De Bono, whose son was sentenced to IPP for a minor offence, is actively fighting for justice for those unfairly impacted by these sentences. De Bono and other family members have united to push for greater political engagement and public awareness in hopes of ending what they describe as a “nightmare” for those still serving under IPP.
The deaths of Davies and Taylor are stark reminders of the human cost of IPP sentences. Their stories highlight the profound injustice faced by IPP prisoners, many of whom have served far beyond their original sentences with no clear path to release. In Wales, the impact of these sentences is deeply felt by families, prisoners, and campaigners alike. While the forthcoming Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 offers some hope of change, much more needs to be done to address the lingering harm caused by IPP sentences.
Wales cannot forget the lives lost, nor ignore the suffering of those who remain trapped under IPP. The Welsh government, campaigners, and the public must continue to press for comprehensive reform to ensure that no more lives are lost to this unjust system. It is time for meaningful action — before the tragedy of IPP claims more lives.
