IPPs end set to be scrapped as mercy for offenders grows

What's happened

New reporting shows the IPP regime, created to contain high-risk offenders, is being retired ahead of a parliamentary deadline. One man, jailed since 2005 for a phone theft under IPP, will be released after decades behind bars; other cases spotlight potential reform and ongoing debate over public safety.

What's behind the headline?

What’s really happening

IPPs are being ended or reformed amid ongoing rights-based criticism and public safety concerns.
The state is balancing punishment with the risk of release into the community.

Why this matters

The change will affect roughly 2,000+ inmates still under IPP or similar terms, impacting families and communities.
It signals a broader review of sentencing frameworks and a push for clearer end dates to long detentions.

Forecast

Expect parliamentary debates, more court cases around release conditions, and new policy guidelines for post-release supervision.

How we got here

The IPP regime was introduced in 2005 to keep serious offenders behind bars with minimum terms but no set end date. It faced legal and human rights criticisms and was scrapped in 2012, though thousands remained imprisoned under old IPP terms. In 2026, Prime Ministerial discussions and Justice Department assessments are pushing to end IPPs more broadly, with a focus on humane releases and review processes.

Our analysis

Independent reports on Shepherd and IPP cases; BBC Business coverage on sentencing and legal debates; BBC Politics on IPP policy discussions.

Go deeper

What does this mean for families of IPP prisoners?
When will new guidelines be published and how may they affect releases?
Are there risks the reform could undermine public safety?