Jailed without hope: Ministers block 128 prisoners on indefinite jail terms from moving to open conditions
The IndependentFor 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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Shocking injustices facing IPP prisoners Thomas White, James Lawrence, Abdullahi Suleman and Yusuf Ali have been highlighted by The Independent The government has come under fire for refusing to resentence IPP inmates, with prisons minister James Timpson last month telling the House of Lords it was “right” that release decisions are made by the independent Parole Board. open image in gallery Prisons minister Lord Timpson said it was ‘right’ that release decisions are made by the independent Parole Board, as the government refused to resentence IPPs ) Urging ministers to look to Spain, where one in four prisoners are allowed to leave prison walls during the day, he told The Times: “We don’t make as much use of open prisons as we might do.” Lord Woodley, who has tabled a private member’s bill for IPP prisoners to be resentenced, said the figures of those blocked from moving to open prisons were “scandalous”. open image in gallery Nicholas Bidar was the first IPP prisoner to have his parole hearing held in public A family member said the refusal to move him, despite the panel of parole board experts advising he was ready, was “devastating”. “The Lord Chancellor considers the recommendations from the independent Parole Board as to whether to place IPP prisoners in the open estate and public safety is at the heart of any decision.”