EWJ June 2024 web - Journal - Page 85
particularly those on an IPP sentence, are treated as
vulnerable people. This case highlights how important it is for the Probation Service, and the police, to be
mindful of how vulnerable people in the same situation as Francis are. Whilst today’s verdict in relation
to the impact the IPP sentence had on Francis is welcome, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure
those who are still suffering from the long-term
impacts of IPP sentences are protected and supported
accordingly, particularly if the authorities are to
prevent further tragedies such as this.”
The Coroner has indicated that he is considering
sending a Prevention of Future Deaths report to the
Ministry of Justice to highlight concerns over the risks
IPP poses to individuals.
IPP sentences were introduced by the Criminal Justice
Act in 2003 and were given full effect in April 2005.
The role of the sentence was to protect the public from
offenders who had committed crimes that did not
warrant a life sentence yet were serious enough to be
of great concern to public safety. Once offenders have
completed their minimum prison tariff, they can
apply for parole, whereby they are monitored for at
least 10 years and in many cases indefinitely.
Prime Minister David Cameron announced in July
2011 that the IPP sentence was “unclear and inconsistent”, following which it was subsequently abolished.
Its main point of failure was that it had been more
widely used than first intended, with some sentences
issued to individuals who were only sentenced to two
years or less in prison. Because of this, and the fact
that the IPP sentences have not retrospectively been
abolished, there are currently 6,500 individuals in the
prison system still serving an IPP sentence to this day.
www.hja.net
Mr Nicholas Morris
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
MBBS
MEWI
MRCOG
FRCOG
With over 15 years’ experience of Medico-Legal work I am trained in report writing, giving evidence
in the Crown Court and the Coroner’s Court. I also lecture on these topics.
I undertake 100 cases annually, 10% Single Joint Expert, 70% Claimant, 20% Defendant.
I am an AVMA and MPS Panellist.
I am now in full time private practice, and run both a Clinical and Legal Practice.
I see patients for Medico-Legal Consultations in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
Contact: Zainab Orekan /Sonya York 0208 3711510
Email: rapidaccess@hotmail.co.uk - Web: www.rapidaccessgynaecology.co.uk
The Gynaecology Chambers, 15 Dollis Park, London, N3 1HJ
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JUNE 2024