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<p>The Government keeps the operation of sentences of imprisonment for public protection
(IPP) under constant review. This includes continuing to ensure that IPP prisoners,
as well as all prisoners serving indeterminate sentences, have every opportunity to
progress towards safe release. This approach is working, with high numbers of unreleased
IPP prisoners achieving a release decision each year. The number of IPP prisoners
who have never been released stood at 1,602 on 31 December 2021, down from over 6,000
at its peak.</p><p> </p><p>This Government has brought forward an amendment relating
to IPP licence terminations as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC)
Bill, which is currently before Parliament. IPP offenders are eligible for Parole
Board consideration of whether their IPP licence should be terminated, once 10 years
has elapsed since their first release. The Bill will require the Secretary of State
to refer all eligible IPP offenders to the Parole Board for consideration of licence
termination. This will ensure that eligible IPP offenders have every opportunity to
have their licence terminated.</p><p> </p><p>The Government welcomes the Justice Select
Committee inquiry into the IPP sentence and will carefully consider the recommendations
in the final report.</p>
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