A man who has spent 12 years in prison for stealing a mobile phone has had to defer his parole board hearing because of the deterioration of his mental health, his family has said.
Thomas White, 40, is one of thousands of prisoners who remain stuck in jail on a controversial indefinite prison sentence that was abolished more than a decade ago.
His family believe that the nature of his sentence and the lack of clarity over his release date have contributed to the deterioration of his mental health – which has seen Thomas suffer from psychosis and religious hallucinations.
Speaking exclusively to Sky News, Thomas’s sister Clara said: “I feel for my little brother that he has lost all memories of the outside world and can’t even verbally stand up for himself in a parole hearing as he has lost the capacity to do so.
“Thomas can only communicate with us by religious delusions – it wouldn’t be fair to put him through a parole hearing where he doesn’t have the concentration to get through one of the most important days of his life.
“I’ve watched my brother – who was only suppose to serve two years of IPP – disintegrate to a person where all I can see is a hole in the soul that no prison can make better.”
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What is an IPP sentence?
Thomas White was handed an IPP with a tariff, or minimum term, of two years.
But 12 years later he remains in prison and was diagnosed over a year ago with psychosis and hallucinations.
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‘Probably cause was feelings of hopelessness and despair’
His family believe that the nature of his sentence and the lack of clarity over his release date has contributed to the deterioration of his mental health – which was also the conclusion of a psychiatrist who assessed Thomas and said the “probable” cause of his condition was the feelings of “hopelessness” and “despair” of the IPP sentence.
IPP sentences – which have been described as a form of “psychological torture” by human rights experts – were intended for serious violent and sexual offenders who posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public but whose crimes did not warrant a life term.
Although the government’s stated aim was public protection, concerns quickly grew that IPP sentences were being applied too broadly and catching more minor offenders, who often ended up serving years beyond their initial term.
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Ex-home secretary since feels ‘deep regret’
The coalition government scrapped the sentence in 2012, but the change was not applied retrospectively, meaning 2,852 prisoners remain behind bars – including 1,227 who have never been released.
Anyone jailed on an IPP can only be released once they have served their tariff after the Parole Board has given its approval.
The new government is under increasing pressure to act on the IPP crisis given they were introduced by former Labour home secretary Lord Blunkett – who has since said he feels “deep regret” about the way the sentence was used.
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‘Horrific indictment of British justice’
And last month Alice Edwards, the UN’s leading torture expert, called on the Labour government to review those still serving IPP sentences as a matter of priority – branding the system a “horrific indictment of the British justice system”.
Campaigners are also pushing for IPP prisoners to be given a definite sentence and possible release date as a solution to the overcrowding crisis that has gripped UK prisons after an emergency measure allowing defendants to be held in police cells for longer was activated.
Calls for a resentencing exercise will be heard again on Wednesday when a new bill is introduced in the House of Lords which, if it becomes law, would legally oblige Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, to ensure that those serving an IPP sentence either in prison or on licence in the community are retrospectively given a determinate sentence.
‘I want to love him again as my little brother’
Clara White is highlighting her brother’s case in the hope he can be moved from prison to hospital following his psychosis diagnosis.
He currently has two independent assessments from a psychiatrist and psychologist who have also made this recommendation.
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Justice secretary may transfer a prisoner to psychiatric hospital
A Ministry of Justice source said people in prison are entitled to the same standard and range of health and social care services as they would receive in the community, including mental health services.
Under the Mental Health Act, the justice secretary may direct a prisoner to be transferred to a psychiatric hospital for treatment, but only after two doctors make the recommendation.
The doctors must then diagnose the condition from which the prisoner appears to be suffering and confirm that treatment in a hospital is necessary and that a place is available. If there is a place, they must formally make a transfer request to the secretary of state.
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An MOJ spokesperson said: “It is right that IPP sentences were abolished. The Lord Chancellor is committed to working with organisations and campaign groups to ensure the appropriate course of action is taken to support those still serving IPP sentences.
“The Prison Service continues to provide additional support to those still in custody, including improving access to rehabilitation programmes and mental health support.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
