Martin Jones, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, has commented that at the present rate of progress there could still be prisoners serving IPP sentences in 20 years’ time – including some convicted of minor crimes.

Mr Jones said the Government faced a ‘stark choice’ – whether to leave IPP prisoners to languish – or whether to take action to put right the IPP ‘stain on the justice system’, described as ‘psychological torture’ by the United Nations.

Mr Jones drew attention to new proposals from the Howard League for Penal Reform, which include giving those on IPP sentences a fixed release date within two years of their next parole review; reducing the numbers recalled to custody for breaching licence conditions; and a package of mental health and community support on release.

Mr Jones added: “I agree 100% with the assessment that if you merely wait for the system as it is to work through, then people will die in prison, through natural death or self-inflicted. It worries me that we may still be having the same conversation in 20 years’ time.”

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