‘Torturous’ indefinite jail term robbed son of whole adult life before he died in a cell at 34, mother says

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “When he didn’t get parole last time he said the only way I am going to leave here is in a body bag – and that’s what happened,” Theresa Mcrae told The Independent. it isn’t like I have even had a chance to share life with Josh because he has been there since he was 17 Josh Mcrae’s mother Theresa The sentences have been branded “psychological torture” by a UN human rights expert, and at least 90 IPP prisoners have taken their own lives. He’s done more time than someone who murdered someone.” The Independent is campaigning for all IPP prisoners to have their sentences reviewed A staff member who had been working with Josh through prison support service Reform and Rebuild said he struggled with a high turnover of inexperienced prison staff who did not understand the struggles IPP prisoners face. “Prisoners have paid tribute to him through his mother, and prison staff have said they are saddened by his loss and would like to attend his funeral service, which I feel is a testament to the man he was.” A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “It is right that IPP sentences were abolished and with public protection as the number one priority, the lord chancellor confirmed that around 1,800 rehabilitated offenders on IPP sentences will have their license conditions lifted.