The number of IPP prisoners being released for the first time has hit an all-time low of just 172 over the past year, according to new data from The Ministry of Justice.

Experts warn that it could take a decade to free the remaining 2,544 IPP prisoners still in custody – 233 of whom are now held in secure hospitals.

Those serving IPP sentences currently include: Leroy Douglas, who has served almost 20 years for robbing a mobile phone; Thomas White, 42, who set himself alight in his cell and has served 13 years for stealing a phone; and Abdullahi Suleman, 41, who is still inside 19 years after he was jailed for a laptop robbery.

At least 94 prisoners serving IPP sentences have taken their own lives in custody. A further 37 self-inflicted deaths have taken place in the community.

The Howard League’s director of campaigns, Andrew Neilson remarked:

‘The data in the annual report underlines how much further and faster ministers will have to go to end a scandal that leaves thousands of people still in prison without an end date in sight.

The government must provide hope for those still serving this unjust sentence.’ 

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