David Blunkett: My Biggest Regret - 99-Year Prison Sentences for Minor Offenses
David Blunkett, a former Labour home secretary, expressed regret over his role in creating the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, also known as the "99-year sentences." These sentences, introduced in 2003 during Tony Blair's premiership, granted indeterminate prison terms with suggested minimums for offenders deemed to present a risk to the public.
Blunkett now acknowledges the damaging consequences these sentences have had.
The text discusses the issue of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences in England and Wales.
Offenders sentenced to IPPs can be on licence for up to 99 years, allowing for recall at any time, even for non-criminal behavior.
In 2012, the European Convention on Human Rights deemed IPPs "arbitrary and unlawful," but this ruling did not apply retroactively to prisoners still serving their sentences.
Approximately 3,000 IPP prisoners remain in the system, and it is estimated that 90 of them have taken their own lives.
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett expressed regret over the outcome of IPPs during his time in government.
IPPs (Indetermate Sentences for Public Protection) were intended for non-murder criminals deserving of sentences shorter than mandatory life terms.
Expected to be uncommon, with around 900 people serving at a time, IPPs included rehabilitation programs.
However, judges issued IPPs more frequently than anticipated, often to repeat offenders of minor crimes.
A total of 8,711 IPP sentences were given, and 6,000 people were serving them when they were abolished.
The text discusses the issue of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences in England and Wales.
Offenders sentenced to IPPs can be on licence for up to 99 years, allowing for recall at any time, even for non-criminal behavior.
In 2012, the European Convention on Human Rights deemed IPPs "arbitrary and unlawful," but this ruling did not apply retroactively to prisoners still serving their sentences.
Approximately 3,000 IPP prisoners remain in the system, and it is estimated that 90 of them have taken their own lives.
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett expressed regret over the outcome of IPPs during his time in government.
IPPs (Indetermate Sentences for Public Protection) were intended for non-murder criminals deserving of sentences shorter than mandatory life terms.
Expected to be uncommon, with around 900 people serving at a time, IPPs included rehabilitation programs.
However, judges issued IPPs more frequently than anticipated, often to repeat offenders of minor crimes.
A total of 8,711 IPP sentences were given, and 6,000 people were serving them when they were abolished.
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