Labour plans to abolish remaining imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences, prompting Conservative warnings that hundreds of dangerous offenders could eventually be released. The reforms are intended to address concerns that people remain imprisoned well beyond their original court-imposed tariffs, while ministers say releases would be managed safely and public protection would remain the priority.

Ministry of Justice figures cited in the article show that 700 current IPP prisoners are sex offenders: 379 have never been released and 321 have been recalled after breaching parole conditions or committing further offences. Other IPP prisoners include 791 convicted of violent offences, 522 of robbery, 77 of criminal damage or arson, and 65 of weapons offences; the Government says it will introduce legislation by the end of the current Parliament, while opponents argue that more prison capacity is needed instead.