This is a guest post by Noor Khan of the Howard League for Penal Reform who sets out details of the charity’s new hotline which provides advice for people on IPP sentences who want to know how to get their licence terminated under the new arrangements coming into force on 1 November 2024.
Changes to IPP licence
This week, a special Howard League hotline has been taking calls from people whose lives have been affected by the sentence of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) and a parallel indeterminate sentence for children, known as the DPP. The IPP sentence was abolished 12 years ago after being ruled unlawful, but not before more than 8,700 such sentences were handed down. Because the abolition was not applied retrospectively, almost 3,000 people on IPP sentences are in prison and thousands more have remained in limbo on licence.
Major changes to the way IPP licences can be terminated are being introduced from 1 November 2024 (with further changes coming on 1 February 2025) under the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.
Hotline
Our hotline, set up in partnership with law firm Peters & Peters, provides confidential legal advice to people on IPP and DPP sentences, their families and friends, and professionals working with them, to help them understand how the new provisions will apply to them.
As well as setting up the hotline, we have updated our practical guide to help people serving IPP or DPP sentences , to understand how the changes in the Act will affect them, as well as providing tips on how to get a licence terminated by the Parole Board. This guide, which was produced in partnership with the Prison Reform Trust, the Prisoners’ Advice Service, and lawyer Dr Laura Janes, can be downloaded from our website.
The incoming changes are complex, and in its inaugural week the hotline has been able to provide much-needed guidance to many people. During just the first two-hour shift of the hotline, volunteers spoke to over 15 callers both in the community and in custody. They were able to provide advice on auto-termination, tips on upcoming licence termination reviews, and next best steps for re-release following recall.
Our feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with IPP charity UNGRIPP reporting that people calling in feel much more clarity on the changes. Those speaking to our volunteers have expressed appreciation not only for the information provided, but also valued having people listen to their experiences on licence and the difficulties of being on an IPP sentence.
We’re thrilled that people have benefitted from the service, but we know that there are many people on IPP sentences, families, and professionals still out there who could use advice and guidance. If you or someone you know could be helped through the hotline, please do get in touch – we would love to hear from you.
The hotline runs from 7 October to 18 December, for four hours a week (Mondays 5pm–7pm and Wednesdays 1pm–3pm). The number to call is 01209 701888. People in prison will need to apply for it to go on their legal PIN. The changes to licence termination are complex, so please call if you need advice.
2 responses
My boyfriend has just, done 12 and half years, on ipp and ,was doing brilliant and all he did was forget, to fill a form to say he was stopping out ,at mine, that weekend, may missed a couple of appointments, but always got straight in contact and, they recalled him , he’s been in nearly 6 months and , its not him ,he’s stopped ringing me and ,writing , doesn’t want me to visit him, i don’t know what to do,
Hi Kelly, very sorry to hear about your troubles. If you’re really worried about your boyfriend, you can call the prison and let then know your concerns and get some support and advice yourself from PACT: https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/
Good luck
Russell