Nacro responds to news in The Independent that prison documents show the Government’s plan to tackle the IPP scandal do not go far enough, and will leave at least 500 prisoners languishing without release by 2030 – 18 years after the abolition of IPP sentences.
“The open-ended IPP sentences trap thousands without a release date, including some for minor crimes”, The Independent.
Helen Dyson, Interim Chief Executive at Nacro, the social justice charity, said:
“Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences have long been recognised as a cruel and degrading punishment, leaving thousands trapped in indefinite limbo even after they were abolished in 2012. Because the abolition was not applied retrospectively, almost 2,400 people were still languishing on IPP sentences in December 2025, and the majority have already served at least a decade beyond their original tariff.
“Yesterday’s exclusive in The Independent highlights yet again how profoundly unjust these sentences remain with some people serving sentences for 22 years longer than their original tariff and comes after the 2022 cross-party Justice Committee’s conclusion that IPP sentences are ‘irredeemably flawed’ and should be replaced through resentencing.
“While there have been some welcome steps to tackle this ongoing injustice, we must ensure this goes further and that there is a permanent solution for everyone impacted by IPP sentences.”
Notes to editor
1 .Secret prison documents show government plan to tackle IPP scandal will fail | The Independent
