Raab urged to help 3,000 jailed under IPP rules

Dominic Raab is being urged to show mercy to prisoners in England and Wales who remain jailed under a sentencing scheme that was abolished 10 years ago.

The imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence was a form of indeterminate sentence in which offenders were given a minimum jail tariff but no maximum for a range of crimes. Nearly 3,000 legacy prisoners remain in jail under the scheme.

Ten years after the scheme was abolished, Raab, the lord chancellor, has received an application for mercy, asking him to recommend a pardon from King Charles.

It comes after the justice select committee in September found that the indefinite nature of jail terms under the IPP scheme had contributed to feelings of hopelessness and despair that has resulted in high levels of self-harm and 74 suicides.

Dean Kingham, a solicitor acting for three people jailed under IPP, said they couldnot wait for ministers to find the time to bring in a new law.

The justice committee report said that an independent panel should be appointed to advise on the complex process of re-sentencing IPP offenders.