As Labour approaches its first 100 days, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies today called on the government for renewed action.
Labour’s first 100 days in Parliament has seen some movement on the key demands outlined in the joint letter for Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence reform. This letter, signed by more than 70 campaigners, criminal justice experts, and civil society organisations, called for urgent reforms for the nearly 3,000 individuals still trapped under IPP sentences.
So, have the demands been addressed?
One demand of the joint letter requested that a ministerial statement be made to Parliament, setting out the new Government’s plans and timetable to address all the outstanding challenges affecting those under an IPP sentence. This demand was arguably met on 5 September, by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
A second demand called for the publication of the first annual report on IPP, which was due to be published by the end of March 2024. This demand has not yet been met, however it was mentioned as part of the plan in the ministerial statement.
A third demand asked that all the IPP-related provisions in the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 be brought into force. In the ministerial statement, these provisions were promised to begin 1 November 2024.
Lastly, the joint letter demanded that an expert committee be set up, in line with the recommendation of the former Justice Select Committee, to advise on the practicalities of a resentencing exercise. This is the only demand that was not addressed in Shabana Mahmood’s ministerial statement, however it has been referenced in Lord Woodley’s Private Members’ Bill, with the second reading scheduled for 15 November.
What can we take away from this? Speaking today, our Director Richard Garside, said:
Only one of the four demands set out in the joint letter has successfully been met - the ministerial statement. Two other demands were mentioned in this statement as part of an IPP management plan, but have not yet come into force. The final demand - an expert resentencing committee - has not been addressed by the Government at all.
As Labour’s marks its first 100 days in Parliament, it’s clear that much work remains for the party to deliver on its promises for IPP reform.
