Meeting for Sufferings: IPP sentencing
One Friend described the sentences as ‘one of the greatest injustices in our system’ as they include people ‘rightfully sentenced’, and ‘those trapped under the three strikes approach… so some people are in for very minor crimes’.
Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences were also considered, with a minute from Central England AM. A representative from the Community Justice Group said that, with 3,000 people still in jail under these indeterminate sentences, ‘We ask that renewed energy is put into lobbying the government on this matter, particularly in light of a new justice minister being appointed.’
The minute asked that Quakers in Criminal Justice and MfS ‘take whatever steps they can to bring our shared concern to the attention of [the justice secretary]’. There should be a ‘re-sentencing exercise’ brought in for all IPP prisoners’, it urged, particularly since the legislation under which the IPP prisoners were imposed has been repealed.
One Friend described the sentences as ‘one of the greatest injustices in our system’ as they include people ‘rightfully sentenced’, and ‘those trapped under the three strikes approach… so some people are in for very minor crimes’. It all requires a major government review, she said, but, as there is cross-party political support on the issue, ‘it is something we could make a difference on, as Quakers are listened to on criminal justice’.
One Friend noted that there is separate Scottish legislation that has not been repealed, which was reflected in the final minute, requesting that it be sent to General Meeting for Scotland for consideration and action.
The minute asked clerks ‘to liaise with Quakers in Criminal Justice so that a letter can be sent to MPs and other elected representatives asking for the resentencing exercise. Friends throughout the Yearly Meeting were also encouraged to write calling for a review. As one Quaker said, ‘If everyone in an Area Meeting writes, that’s a lot of letters.
Minutes are available at www.quaker.org.uk/mfspapers.
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