Imprisonment for Public Protection Sentences
2026-09-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Laura Kyrke-Smith is concerned about the long-term impact of IPP sentences on prisoners who have been serving them since 2006 or 2007.
I am concerned about the steps being taken to review imprisonment for public protection sentences. I met IPP prisoners who have been serving sentences since 2006 or 2007 and they described the extreme toll the sentences take on their mental health and the unfairness of seeing people who committed greater offences released sooner. We must ensure we do right by victims but also consider the sentences these men have already served.
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her considered question. IPP prisoners have greater access to mental health support, including funding for specialist assessments by psychology services. The Phoenix unit at HMP Aylesbury opened last month to provide dedicated support for IPP prisoners. We must get any changes we make right, ensuring a balance with public safety, but these sentences have been discontinued for a very good reason. That is a long-standing cross-party position, and it is time that we move forward.
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Assessment & feedback
The mental health impacts were acknowledged but no specific assessment or timeline was provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Laura Kyrke-Smith is concerned about the long-term impact of IPP sentences on prisoners who have been serving them since 2006 or 2007.
I met IPP prisoners who have been serving sentences since 2006 or 2007 and they described the extreme toll the sentences take on their mental health and the unfairness of seeing people who committed greater offences released sooner. We must ensure we do right by victims but also consider the sentences these men have already served. What assessment has been made of the mental health impacts of these sentences and when can we expect decisions on next steps?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her considered question. IPP prisoners have greater access to mental health support, including funding for specialist assessments by psychology services. The Phoenix unit at HMP Aylesbury opened last month to provide dedicated support for IPP prisoners. We must get any changes we make right, ensuring a balance with public safety, but these sentences have been discontinued for a very good reason. That is a long-standing cross-party position, and it is time that we move forward.
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Assessment & feedback
The mental health impacts were acknowledged but no specific assessment or timeline was provided
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Patrick Spencer is concerned about a recent lenient sentence for a convicted rapist and murderer who attempted to meet a 14-year-old boy.
John Dunne was convicted of trying to meet a 14-year-old boy at a train station in Suffolk. He received a two-year sentence, reduced from three after a guilty plea. This still seems lenient, considering that Mr Dunne has already served a life sentence for rape and murder. Our community and country will never be safe when we release people who are clearly not functioning in society. I have written to the Attorney General about this sentence. If the Government are considering changes to IPP, what is their plan for keeping children safe in situations like this?
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for the question, and the spirit in which it was asked. I will not be drawn on that individual case if it is with the Attorney General, because it is right that that process carries on unhindered. We do work on support, public safety, and public protection.
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Assessment & feedback
The question about keeping children safe was not directly addressed
Not Drawn On That Individual Case
Work On Support, Public Safety, And Public Protection
Response accuracy