- Senior judges who imposed indefinite jail terms, known as IPP sentences, have expressed regret over their role in the “injustice” that has left thousands of inmates trapped in prison for minor offences.
- Former High Court judge Sir John Saunders stated he would apologise to IPP prisoners he jailed, while former recorder Simon Tonking says he feels driven to rectify the system that he was part of.
- Over 2,500 prisoners remain incarcerated under IPP sentences, which were abolished in 2012 but not retrospectively, with cases including people serving nearly two decades for mobile phone theft.
- The judges are backing proposals from the Howard League for Penal Reform, advocating for IPP prisoners to be given a release date within a two-year window at their next parole hearing, alongside mental health support.
- Prisons Minister Lord Timpson said the IPP sentence was rightly abolished and support has improved, but said further reductions in prisoner numbers will only occur in a way that protects the public.
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