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Michael Gove calls for indefinite jail-term prisoners' release Michael Gove calls for indefinite jail-term prisoners' release
(35 minutes later)
Some 500 prisoners serving indefinite prison sentences should be released, Michael Gove has said.Some 500 prisoners serving indefinite prison sentences should be released, Michael Gove has said.
The former justice secretary said it was "unjust and unfair" that some people serving Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences were still inside.The former justice secretary said it was "unjust and unfair" that some people serving Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences were still inside.
Mr Gove said executive clemency should be used to release the inmates, many of whom have been in prison for years longer than their minimum jail terms.Mr Gove said executive clemency should be used to release the inmates, many of whom have been in prison for years longer than their minimum jail terms.
The government said it was tackling a "backlog" of IPP prisoners.The government said it was tackling a "backlog" of IPP prisoners.
One IPP prisoner, James Ward, told the BBC he fears he will never get out.One IPP prisoner, James Ward, told the BBC he fears he will never get out.
He is in his 11th year in prison after being given a 10-month sentence for arson and many others have been in prison for several years more than the minimum terms they were given.He is in his 11th year in prison after being given a 10-month sentence for arson and many others have been in prison for several years more than the minimum terms they were given.
'More effective rehabilitation''More effective rehabilitation'
The IPP sentence was abolished in 2012 by the then-Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, who called it a "stain" on the criminal justice system.The IPP sentence was abolished in 2012 by the then-Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, who called it a "stain" on the criminal justice system.
But more than 3,800 IPP prisoners remain in jail in England and Wales.But more than 3,800 IPP prisoners remain in jail in England and Wales.
Some 3,200 have served more than the tariff or minimum sentence they were given, while 400 of them have served at least five times the minimum.Some 3,200 have served more than the tariff or minimum sentence they were given, while 400 of them have served at least five times the minimum.
Mr Gove said executive clemency should be used for the 500 or IPP prisoners who have been in jail for far longer than the tariff for their offence and have now - after multiple parole reviews - served even longer than the maximum determinate sentence for that offence.Mr Gove said executive clemency should be used for the 500 or IPP prisoners who have been in jail for far longer than the tariff for their offence and have now - after multiple parole reviews - served even longer than the maximum determinate sentence for that offence.
Mr Gove made his recommendation while delivering the annual Longford lecture in memory of the prison reformer Lord Longford.Mr Gove made his recommendation while delivering the annual Longford lecture in memory of the prison reformer Lord Longford.
He said the 500 prisoners had served sentences far longer than the gravity of their offences required.He said the 500 prisoners had served sentences far longer than the gravity of their offences required.
Mr Gove said that with fewer offenders in jail, '"a more effective rehabilitation regime could be delivered".Mr Gove said that with fewer offenders in jail, '"a more effective rehabilitation regime could be delivered".
"It's madness""It's madness"
James Ward was given a 10-month IPP for arson in 2006. Now in his 11th year in prison, he still has no release date.James Ward was given a 10-month IPP for arson in 2006. Now in his 11th year in prison, he still has no release date.
He regularly self-harms, sets light to his cell, barricades himself in and has staged dirty protests.He regularly self-harms, sets light to his cell, barricades himself in and has staged dirty protests.
With a low IQ, and mental health problems, he cannot cope with prison life.With a low IQ, and mental health problems, he cannot cope with prison life.
In a letter he wrote to the BBC last week, he said he was struggling inside prison.In a letter he wrote to the BBC last week, he said he was struggling inside prison.
''I'm hoping they let me out with some support because I'm not getting none in here.''I'm hoping they let me out with some support because I'm not getting none in here.
"Hopefully it will happen but I doubt it.""Hopefully it will happen but I doubt it."
He has a Parole Board hearing in January, when his solicitor will be arguing for his release.He has a Parole Board hearing in January, when his solicitor will be arguing for his release.
His sister, April Ward, says he has recently cut his wrist.His sister, April Ward, says he has recently cut his wrist.
"We always worry about James," she said. "The biggest fear for my mum and dad is that they will never see James walk free.""We always worry about James," she said. "The biggest fear for my mum and dad is that they will never see James walk free."
She said his prison had given him the job of cleaning out prisoner's cells, which meant he ended up wiping blood off the walls from where other prisoners had self-harmed.She said his prison had given him the job of cleaning out prisoner's cells, which meant he ended up wiping blood off the walls from where other prisoners had self-harmed.
Prisoners asked him to pass drugs between the cells and when he refused, they threw things at himPrisoners asked him to pass drugs between the cells and when he refused, they threw things at him
"He feels like he's been forgotten about, that nobody wants to help him. Nobody wants to take responsibility for the IPP sentence. It's madness," she added."He feels like he's been forgotten about, that nobody wants to help him. Nobody wants to take responsibility for the IPP sentence. It's madness," she added.
Prisoner ‘trapped’ in jail for 10 years
In July, the Parole Board chairman Nick Hardwick said Justice Secretary Liz Truss "needed to consider" changing the release test to make it easier for IPP prisoners to be freed.In July, the Parole Board chairman Nick Hardwick said Justice Secretary Liz Truss "needed to consider" changing the release test to make it easier for IPP prisoners to be freed.
In Wednesday's lecture, Mr Gove called Mr Hardwick "superb" and said he should be given the resources and flexibility to ensure more IPP cases can be processed and more individuals released.In Wednesday's lecture, Mr Gove called Mr Hardwick "superb" and said he should be given the resources and flexibility to ensure more IPP cases can be processed and more individuals released.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Public protection remains our key priority, however this report rightly highlights concerns around the management of IPP prisoners.A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Public protection remains our key priority, however this report rightly highlights concerns around the management of IPP prisoners.
"That is why we have set up a new unit within the Ministry of Justice to tackle the backlog and are working with the Parole Board to improve the efficiency of the process.""That is why we have set up a new unit within the Ministry of Justice to tackle the backlog and are working with the Parole Board to improve the efficiency of the process."