Written Question: IPP Engagement

Lord Moylan: To ask His Majesty's Government what consultation they have undertaken with prisoners serving imprisonment for public protection, detention for public protection, and "two-strike" sentences imposed before 2005 on means of improving coordination between Parole Board hearings and the courses prisoners are required to take in preparation.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Lemos, CMG, CBE):

His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) staff regularly engage with those serving IPP sentences through a range of activities such as IPP prison forums.

In addition, Dame Glenys Stacey chairs an IPP External Stakeholder Challenge Group which meets quarterly and includes charities, campaign groups, criminal justice organisations and people with lived experience of the sentence. The group has provided constructive challenge on the IPP Action Plan, including on the need for clearer communication, stronger focus on outcomes, and better understanding of barriers to progression.

Progression panels are one example of where this engagement is relevant; they bring together staff to consider an individual’s progression, identify barriers, and help ensure the prisoner understands what further work or interventions are needed before Parole Board hearings.

The Public Protection Casework Section (PPCS) within HMPPS is responsible for setting parole reviews. When calculating the interval between reviews, PPCS engages with prison and probation staff to determine the length of time a prisoner is likely to require to complete the necessary interventions and programmes. This information is then taken into account when scheduling the review. Where a prisoner completes the required work earlier than anticipated, PPCS may bring the review forward.

We will continue to use these channels, alongside engagement with the Parole Board and operational partners, to improve coordination between parole reviews and the interventions prisoners need to support safe progression, and as we develop legislation to bring the sentence to an end.