Indefinite sentences are morally wrong – why will Labour not end them?

Everyone agrees that indefinite prison sentences were a mistake. “It’s just morally wrong.” The uncertainty created by indefinite sentences has in many cases contributed to mental health problems for prisoners. As Lord Thomas said, “You just can’t keep people locked up in case they do something.” In opposition, Shabana Mahmood was “concerned” about IPP sentences. She said that there seemed to be “limited availability” of the courses needed by prisoners to demonstrate their reformed behaviour, and added: “I am also concerned that there may be a disparity on racial grounds.” Now that she is justice secretary in a new, reforming government, however, her concerns seem to be outweighed by the need to repeat the previous administration’s line, which is that “public protection must come first”. At a time when Ms Mahmood is, rightly, releasing other prisoners before their allotted time because of the prison capacity crisis, it is doubly unjust to keep these prisoners in jail, in Lord Thomas’s words, “in case they do something”.