Indefinite detentions may face fresh appeal reviews

Dame Vera Baird’s Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred five cases of men given IPP sentences when under 21 to the appeal courts, and about 2,400 people remain held under IPP, a sentence type abolished in 2012.

Dame Vera Baird, chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, has asked the appeal courts to review five cases of men who received imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences while under the age of 21. IPP was abolished in 2012, but those already serving such sentences have remained in custody. The five referrals were selected because they resemble recent Court of Appeal cases in which IPP sentences were quashed after judges were found to have given insufficient weight to youth and immaturity. Key points: - The CCRC has referred five IPP cases involving offenders who were under 21 at the time of sentencing to the appeal courts. - IPP was abolished in 2012; it is reported that about 2,400 people remain serving IPP sentences. - Recent Court of Appeal rulings quashed some IPP sentences on grounds including insufficient consideration of youth; the appeal courts will now consider the five new referrals. Summary: The referrals could lead to further quashed IPP sentences and affect some of those still held without fixed release dates. The appeal courts will decide the five cases; wider policy or ministerial action is undetermined at this time.