Two Men Freed After Two Decades of Indefinite IPP Sentences 2026

Two men jailed with indefinite sentences for public protection (IPPs) have been freed after each serving about two decades in custody despite receiving minimum terms of two years or less. The case highlights ongoing controversies surrounding IPP sentences, which were introduced in 2005 and abolished in 2012 but continue to affect thousands of prisoners.

What Are IPP Sentences?

Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) was a type of indeterminate sentence designed for offenders deemed dangerous. Under IPP, prisoners had to serve a minimum term before being eligible for parole, but release was not guaranteed. Many remained incarcerated long after their minimum terms due to parole board denials. IPP sentences were abolished in 2012, but those already serving them were not automatically released.

The Case: Luke Ings, Liam Bennett, and James Ward

Luke Ings and Liam Bennett were originally given IPP sentences with minimum terms of two years or less. However, both ended up serving around 20 years in custody. Their appeals, supported by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), argued that judges had wrongly found them dangerous or failed to consider alternative sentences. At Wolverhampton Crown Court, Mr Justice Choudhury and magistrate Norma Grant quashed the original IPPs and replaced them with determinate sentences.

Bennett received a sentence of four years and 264 days, Ings 42 months with a 30-month extended licence, and James Ward two years. Ward had been freed in 2017 after serving 10 years more than his one-year minimum but was later recalled to prison. He watched from the public gallery as his sentence was replaced. Since all three had already served far longer than their new sentences, they were entitled to immediate release.

Key Takeaways from the Appeal

• IPP sentences can be overturned if original dangerousness assessments were flawed.
• The CCRC plays a crucial role in reviewing potential miscarriages of justice.
• Replacement sentences often result in immediate release due to time already served.
• Extended licence periods may still apply after release.

Impact on the Criminal Justice System

The case underscores the lasting impact of IPP sentences, which have been criticized for keeping people in prison far beyond their minimum terms. According to prison reform groups, hundreds of IPP prisoners remain incarcerated, many for minor offences. The abolition of IPPs in 2012 did not apply retrospectively, leaving a legacy of uncertainty.

Legal experts suggest that this ruling could pave the way for more appeals. The CCRC has been actively reviewing IPP cases, and this successful appeal may encourage others to challenge their sentences. However, each case is assessed on its individual merits, and not all will result in release.

FAQ

The release of Ings and Bennett, along with the resentencing of Ward, marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over IPP sentences. It remains to be seen how many other IPP prisoners will benefit from similar legal challenges.