PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(15 May 2026)

It is right that IPP sentences were abolished.

Whilst this Government is determined to make further progress for those serving the IPP sentence, we cannot take any steps that would put victims or the public at risk. For that reason, we are firmly of the view that those serving the IPP sentence in prison must satisfy the statutory release test which the independent Parole Board must apply before they are released.

Resentencing would result in IPP prisoners being released whom the Parole Board has determined, in many cases repeatedly determined, are too dangerous, having not met the statutory release test. This would pose an unacceptable level of risk of harm to victims and the public.

We do not therefore intend to undertake a resentencing exercise.