THE IPP SENTENCE IN NUMBERS

THE IPP SENTENCE IN NUMBERS

Last updated: 31 August 2026

Latest prison-population data: 30 June 2026

Numbers establish the scale of IPP. They do not, by themselves, establish the full human truth. The People’s Inquiry will examine what lies behind them: original offending and victim harm, post-tariff detention, recall, psychological deterioration, institutional decision-making, family trauma, public protection, deaths and the possibility of repair.

8,711

IPP sentences were imposed between the sentence’s introduction in 2005 and its abolition for new cases in 2012.

2,271

People were imprisoned under IPP on 30 June 2026.

856

People serving IPP remained in prison without ever having been released.

1,415

People serving IPP were imprisoned following recall after an earlier release.

AROUND 8 IN 10

Around eight in ten tariff-expired, never-released IPP prisoners had already served at least ten years beyond the end of their minimum tariff.

WHAT THE FIGURES MEAN

“Unreleased” refers to people serving IPP who have never been released from that sentence. “Recalled” refers to people who were released on licence and were subsequently returned to custody. The recalled total does not, by itself, explain why each person was recalled, whether a new offence was alleged or committed, whether the recall was precautionary, or whether the person was returned for an alleged breach of licence conditions. “Tariff” is the minimum period set by the sentencing court for punishment. Its expiry did not create an automatic release date under IPP. The total of 2,271 combines the unreleased and recalled IPP prison populations. It does not include people living in the community on an IPP or DPP licence or people detained in secure hospitals.

A FALLING NUMBER DOES NOT END THE INJUSTICE

The number of people imprisoned under IPP has fallen, but every remaining person is still subject to a sentence abolished for new cases in 2012. A statistical reduction cannot answer whether continued detention is lawful, necessary and proportionate in an individual case. Nor can it account for years served beyond tariff, repeated recall, deteriorating mental health, disrupted family relationships or the institutional effects of prolonged uncertainty. The remaining population must not be treated as one undifferentiated group. Individual histories, offences, tariffs, progress, needs, current evidence of risk and experiences of state decision-making differ substantially.

VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS

Statistics about offences cannot substitute for listening to victims and survivors. The harm caused by crime must be acknowledged honestly. So must any further harm caused by an indefinite sentence, unsafe release planning, repeated institutional failure or a justice process that excludes the people most affected. Recognising state-inflicted harm does not erase the original offence. Recognising victim harm does not justify indefinite punishment without lawful, current and reliable evidence. A credible justice process must be capable of holding both truths at the same time. Victims and survivors must be engaged with dignity and independence. Their involvement must improve criminal justice outcomes, public protection and understanding—not be used to score political points or provide retrospective justification for decisions already made.

LIVES LOST

Published figures concerning deaths under IPP use different dates, locations, definitions and populations. Some cover deaths in prison; others include approved premises, the community or a limited period following release. These datasets overlap and must not simply be added together. IPP Committee in Action is developing a dedicated, sourced record of lives lost. It will distinguish between verified facts, official classifications, inquest findings, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman investigations, family testimony and questions that remain unanswered. Its purpose will not be to assume that every death had the same cause. It will establish what is known, identify what has not been disclosed and support independent examination of whether IPP, post-tariff detention, recall, psychological deterioration, prison conditions or failures of care caused or contributed to individual deaths.

THE GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT

On 30 August 2026, the Prime Minister committed the Government to bringing the injustice of IPP sentences to an end during this Parliament. That commitment is historic. It is not yet legislation, a timetable or a completed process. Until Parliament extinguishes the remaining sentences through a fair and lawful framework, these figures continue to describe a live injustice.

SOURCES AND METHODOLOGY

Headline prison figures:

Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service, Offender Management Statistics Quarterly, published 30 July 2026. Prison-population position at 30 June 2026.

Historical number of IPP sentences imposed:

Law Commission, Criminal Appeals: Summary of the Consultation Paper, 2025.

Government commitment:

Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street, announcement published 30 August 2026.

Figures will be reviewed whenever the Ministry of Justice publishes a new quarterly release. Any substantive correction will be recorded transparently under our Complaints, Corrections and Right of Reply policy.