Sister’s Heartfelt Plea to Prisons Minister Over Brother’s Endless IPP Sentence: A Call for Justice and Reform

Clara White Appeals to New Prisons Minister James Timpson Regarding Brother's Open-Ended Incarceration

Clara White, whose brother Thomas has been imprisoned for 12 years for a mobile phone theft, has reached out to the newly appointed prisons minister seeking assistance, according to a letter obtained by Sky News.

Political correspondent @Journoamrogers

Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 23:

The sibling of an individual incarcerated for 12 years under a now-defunct sentencing law has urgently requested that the newly appointed Justice Minister, Lord Timpson, step in to address her brother's widely recognized legal case.

Clara White, whose brother Thomas White has been incarcerated since 2012 for a mobile phone theft, stated that individuals like her brother, who are serving IPP (imprisonment for public protection) sentences, feel utterly hopeless.

In a correspondence viewed by Sky News, Ms. White reached out to Lord Timpson, the newly appointed minister for prisons, requesting his assistance in transferring her brother to a private NHS facility to address the hallucinations he experiences, which she believes are caused by his current imprisonment.

She explained that her brother had been transferred among 12 different correctional facilities during his ongoing sentence, which lacks a specified release date, making it impossible for him to show that he is eligible for release.

"Over the years, I've observed my brother's mental decline," she shared in her writing.

"Countless individuals have been denied even the basic sentiment of hope."

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What does IPP sentence stand for?

Thomas White, aged 40, was among over 8,000 individuals sentenced to an IPP (Imprisonment for Public Protection), a judicial measure enforced between 2005 and its repeal in 2012.

The punishment, often labeled "psychological torture" by human rights advocates, was designed for severe violent and sexual criminals considered highly dangerous to the public, yet whose offenses fell short of meriting a life sentence.

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Despite the government's intention of safeguarding the public, apprehensions soon emerged that IPP (Imprisonment for Public Protection) sentences were excessively wide-ranging, ensnaring not only serious criminals but also less severe offenders, who frequently found themselves incarcerated for much longer than their original sentences.

In 2012, the coalition government abolished the policy, but the new rule was not implemented retroactively. As a result, 2,852 inmates are still incarcerated, with 1,227 of them having never been set free.

The current administration faces mounting calls to address the IPP issue, initially implemented by the previous Labour home secretary, Lord Blunkett. Blunkett has expressed significant remorse over how the policy was applied.

Previously, Sky News covered the story of Thomas White, featuring an independent psychiatric evaluation that suggested he should be moved to a mental health facility.

The evaluation noted: "Mr. White expressed feelings of despair regarding his sentence and the results of his latest parole hearings.

"It is likely that this adverse experience played a role in shaping his system of delusions and the voices he hears."

Mr. White's opinions reflect the findings of the report, highlighting the mental distress inflicted by the IPP sentence, including feelings of despondency and despair, which hindered their advancement.

"It's essential that we transform prisons into rehabilitative institutions."

Activists have expressed optimism following the selection of Lord Timpson, previously the CEO of the well-known family-owned retail and key-cutting company famous for hiring former convicts.

Sir Keir Starmer appointed Lord Timpson, former chairman of the Prison Reform Trust, to the House of Lords, naming him as the minister for prisons, parole, and probation within the Ministry of Justice.

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In his inaugural address earlier this month, Lord Timpson remarked that although prisons "should serve as both a punitive and preventive measure," they are "failing to rehabilitate, instead producing more adept criminals rather than improved citizens."

"He said that it reduces public safety."

"We need to ensure that prisons are focused on rehabilitation and provide offenders with genuine opportunities for reform. This benefits society as a whole by lowering crime rates."

'My sibling is gradually fading as he awaits justice'

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Ms. White expressed her profound distress at the fact that her brother was twice refused continuous psychiatric care.

"More than a year after his diagnosis, he finds himself secluded behind a metal door, with minimal contact with others," she stated.

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She finished by saying, "Mr. Timpson, I am appealing to you and your group to assist me in locating a private hospital for Thomas, should there be no open spots in NHS facilities.

"My brother is gradually fading away as he awaits justice."

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice stated: "The decision to eliminate IPP sentences was correct. The Lord Chancellor is dedicated to collaborating with various organizations and advocacy groups to determine the best steps forward in assisting individuals who are still under IPP sentences."

Individuals experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide can seek assistance by contacting Samaritans in the UK at 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org. In the US, they can reach out to their local Samaritans branch or dial 1 (800) 273-TALK for support.

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