The Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 2003 introduced the sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) under the Labour Government. The government confirmed the situation as unsatisfactory and under the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPOA) 2012 the IPP was abolished.

In March 2014, Mr. David Blunkett stated that the Labour Government “got the implementation wrong”. This was in March 2014. However, to date nothing has been implemented for those prisoners who are already serving this sentence, with the exception of new programs, which still have waiting lists and often involve transfers to other establishments to enable the individual to participate on the course if assessed as suitable. Despite this there are not enough provisions for all. The impact of this sentence and, as a consequence of the uncertainty of when they will be released also has a huge detrimental impact on their mental health.

If changes are not made it will take at least 5 years if not longer to clear the backlog of those already beyond their minimum term.

We ask for an effective system in place that works. We are hereby requesting that the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, the The Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP exercise their power to change the release test under Section 128 of the LASPOA 2012