Prisoners: Imprisonment for Public Protection Sentences

Debate between Lord Keen of Elie and Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers

Thursday 20th July 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Keen of Elie]

We are of course conscious of the ability to move under Section 128. That remains under review. However, under the present regime we have seen an acceleration in the number of releases. Be that as it may, let us keep in mind the simple fact that where people achieve the present test, we have a breach of licence conditions rate of about 30%. We are dealing with very difficult and in each case dangerous individuals who must be managed in the community for its safety as a whole.

[Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers (CB)]

My Lords, how many IPP prisoners have been refused release by the Parole Board because they have been unable to discharge the burden of proof upon them?

[Lord Keen of Elie]

I understand that at present the rate of release on first oral hearings of IPP prisoners is about 38%. That is a material increase in the release rate of three or four years ago, when it was about 28%.