IPP stands for Imprisonment for Public Protection and was a type of sentence given to offenders who posed a serious risk to the public. On completion of their tariff (the minimum period served before being eligible for parole) they are permitted to apply to the Parole Board for release.

It is at this stage in their sentence that the prisoner will be risk assessed by the Parole Board, with the assistance of others, to find whether they are safe enough to be either released into the community or transferred to open conditions. If successful, the Parole Board will attach licence conditions, specific to the individuals’ risk factors. Licence conditions will be in force usually for the prisoner’s life or until deemed unnecessary.

This type of sentence was created by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and was put to use in April 2005. Changes in the law mean that this type of sentence is no longer available and now those offenders who pose a serious risk to the public receive straightforward life sentences.

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