Man sentenced to two years in prison ‘destroyed’ after serving 18 years – families demand investigation | Politics News

Families have called for an investigation into mental health care for offenders serving indefinite periods in prison – saying it could “save lives”.

Relatives of offenders still serving a now-abolished indefinite sentence known as imprisonment for public protection (IPP) believe resources have become so “starved” that remaining prisoners now have “lifelong mental health problems”.

They have written to Parliament’s Justice Committee asking it to conduct an investigation once a new government is in power.

In letters to the committee, seen by Sky News, family members attributed their loved one’s deteriorating mental health directly to the prison sentence, which has no release date and was described as “… Form of “psychological torture” by human rights experts.

Clara White, whose brother Thomas White spent 12-and-a-half years in prison for cell phone theft, told MPs on the committee – which has yet to be formally set up after the general election – that her brother is now living with psychosis as a result of the IPP ruling.

“Since 2016, Thomas has exhibited religious hallucinations, religious delusions, and unusual ways of thinking,” she wrote.

“The prison environment and the long 12.5 year incarceration are the reason Thomas now lives with paranoid schizophrenia.”

“The purpose of my letter is to ask you if you are considering starting a mental health investigation,” she added.

“I am sure this would save lives in prison.”

What are IPP rates?

IPP penalties were a type of punishment that the courts could impose from 2005 until they were abolished in 2012.

They were intended for serious violent and sexual offenders who posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public, but whose crimes did not warrant a life sentence.

Although the government’s stated aim was to protect the public, concerns quickly grew that IPP penalties were being overly broad and more minors were being caught as criminals They often served years beyond their original prison term.

The coalition government abolished the sentence in 2012, but the change has not been applied retroactively, meaning nearly 3,000 prisoners remain behind bars – including around 1,200 who were never released.

To date, 90 people serving IPP sentences have committed suicide in prison.

Given the overcrowding crisis in Britain’s prisons, the Ministry of Justice is under pressure from campaigners to consider reassessing IPP prisoners, which could result in them being given a release date for the first time.

“IPP destroyed us as a family”

Cherrie Nichol’s brother Aaron Graham was 26 when he was sentenced to two years and 124 days for aggravated assault in 2005. He remains in prison 18 years later.

In her letter to the committee, Ms Nichol said her brother was now a “shadow of his former self” and had suffered “catastrophic” mental health problems as a result of his IPP conviction.

“Not knowing where his life is headed and when he might be released has devastated him and us as a family,” she wrote.

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She said she did not believe the prison service was “properly equipped to deal with the backlash from the abolished IPP”, leaving many “wasting away with no hope and no future, with professionals coming and going and unable to make decisions.” “.

“As family members and activists, we strongly urge you to acknowledge the mental health issues caused by the IPP,” she added.

Prisoners “must not be forgotten”

In a recent interview with Sky News, Andy Slaughter, the elected chair of the Justice Select Committee, warned that the government must not “forget” the remaining IPP prisoners.

The Labor MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick and former lawyer said it had been over a decade since IPPs were repealed “but we still have a situation where over 1,000 people have never been released from prison”.

“Everyone admits that this is wrong, everyone believes that a solution should be found to serve prisoners, but there is a fear that resentencing will also include dangerous people,” he said.

Mr Slaughter said a resentencing – also called for by Bob Neill, the former Conservative chairman of the justice committee – “would allow each individual case to be assessed in a transparent and professional manner.”

“This means it is not a quick and dirty solution, but a real solution that could take up to two years to implement.”

“Sweeping changes such as resentencing need to be decided by the government – but these are forgotten people in prison and I hope that is something high on the agenda.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “It is right that IPP penalties have been abolished. We are significantly reducing prison sentences for rehabilitated offenders to give them the chance to move on with their lives.”

“With public protection as our top priority, the Lord Chancellor is working with organizations and campaign groups to ensure appropriate action is taken to support those still serving these sentences.”

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can contact Samaritans for help on 116 123 or in the UK email [email protected]. In the US, call your nearest Samaritans location or 1 (800) 273-TALK.