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IPP prisoner to be released from 10-month sentence 11 years later (15 September 2017)

Date: 15/09/2017
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, IPP prisoner to be released from 10-month sentence 11 years later

James Ward is to be released from prison after serving 11 years, despite his original sentence being 10 months, after a judge placed an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) order.

James was charged with arson in 2006, with a minimum sentence of 10 months. Since, he set his bed alight in his cell, which caused a judge to give him an indefinite IPP order, with no exact release date.

James’ sister, April Ward, has petitioned for his release for years, warning that his mental health state is under threat whilst behind bars. April and her parents have been told of James’ release, but James is yet to be informed. She is positive that her brother will get better:

“We, as a family, will make sure that James’s release is successful [and] the self-harm he gets help with.”

The parole board has given the go ahead on James’ release, which April believes is down to a simple change in perspective on their part:

“The decision of the Parole Board isn’t down to a course or any difference in James’ behaviour, it’s down to the fact that – finally – they’ve seen that James is not a risk to the public.”

The meeting took place on the 4th September and James’ family look forward to his return home.

James’ state of mind has caused him to lose weight in prison, self-harm and have suicidal thoughts. Upon release, the probation service is working to accommodate James in a hostel, as well as provide him with mental health support.

Nick Hardwick, the chair for the Parole Board, has previously expressed his concern for the amount of people in prison who go through similar experiences to James:

“The levels of suicide, assault, and self-harm is unacceptably high. It’s the fault of political and policy decisions that should have been put right...”

There are a number of prisoners who are held in prison because of an IPP order, which were given to those judged to be a risk to society, though they have since been abolished for sentences passed after 2012.

According to a Ministry of Justice spokesperson, who previously commented on the matter, in 2016 576 people were released, but more than 3000 prisoner in England and Wales are still serving IPPs.

Abigail Fogg, Director and Prison Law Solicitor at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, comments:

“The IPP sentence was rightly quashed as it was handed out far too easily and it trapped people in sentences they couldn’t possibly progress from. It was an inhumane sentence and sadly too many prisoners are still serving IPP sentences with little hope of release. Prison should be about repentance and rehabilitation and not about being trapped in an endless 99 year sentence with no real possibility of release. We wish James Ward and his family well as he is released”

Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Crime Solicitors have a breadth of experience dealing with various legal matters in regards to prison law. We regularly represent IPP prisoners at parole hearings, most of which are over tariff. We often represent prisoners who struggle with complex matters including mental health, personality disorders, addictions etc. and assist clients by getting a successful result with either progression to open conditions or release on licence. Additionally, we assist clients with Judicial Review matters, IPP prisoners with progression issues, access to rehabilitation, unnecessary segregation issues, HDC and license conditions and all kinds of human rights matters.

Post release, we are also able to assist in relation to licence recall matters. We can prepare representations and/or make an application for an oral hearing in which we can represent the client with regards to the reasons for any recall that may be provided.

Whether you are a long-term prisoner or have only just been detained and are worried about what your rights are whilst detained, then please get in touch on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.

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