BPS welcomes reforms to Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences

The BPS has previously campaigned, alongside other organisations, for a change in legislation to IPP sentences particularly regarding the introduction of a three-year qualifying period for an individual to have their IPP licence reviewed by a Parole Board, instead of the current 10 years. 

It has been confirmed that from 1 February 2025, there will be a reduction in the qualifying period for an IPP licence review from 10 years to three. 

The BPS is also encouraged by the news that a report about the steps taken to progress those serving IPP sentences towards safe release will be published annually so the government can be held to account to making continued progress in this area. 

Against the backdrop of these changes, the BPS reiterates its call for a resentencing exercise for all those currently serving an IPP sentence. There are over 1,000 IPP prisoners who have never been released, for whom the current changes would not make an alteration to their release opportunities. 

The Division of Forensic Psychology's committee commented: 

"This is an encouraging and important move from the government. For too long we have known that IPP sentences are particularly psychologically harmful, leaving people in a chronic state of anxiety and hopelessness, with a detrimental impact on mental health." 

Read the full ministerial statement on IPP sentences.