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<p>For offenders serving an IPP sentence, the policy change did not lead to an extended
minimum period for all before suspension of supervision can be considered. In fact,
in the new policy, for some IPP cases, the minimum period is less than it was previously.</p><p>
</p><p>This policy change represents a clear, fair and consistent position for those
subject to indeterminate licences in the community and supports my primary responsibility
to protect the public.</p><p> </p><p>The development or amendment of all justice policy
frameworks incudes significant internal consultation. No non-Government organisations
were consulted.</p><p> </p><p>The revised policy framework, ‘Managing Parole Eligible
Offenders on Licence’ was disseminated across HM Prison and Probation Service via
internal communications, which included a leaflet for those serving a qualifying sentence;
it is also published and available in the public domain. It falls to probation officers
in the National Probation Service to discuss any implications of a policy change directly
with those affected.</p><p> </p><p>The minimum period of supervision in the previous
policy of either four or 10 years, depending on certain factors relating to the offence
and notoriety, applied to those offenders serving life and Imprisonment for Public
Protection (IPP) sentences. Under the previous policy, anyone serving a life sentence
for the murder of an adult or for some other serious offences, had to serve a minimum
of four continuous years on licence in the community before becoming eligible for
consideration for the supervision requirements in the licence to be suspended. The
change in policy brought such individuals into line with all others serving a life
sentence, in that they must now spend 10 continuous years on licence in the community
before becoming eligible for supervision to be suspended, unless exceptional circumstances
apply. This change was necessary both to enhance public protection and to ensure public
confidence with respect to offenders who had committed murder.</p>
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