LIFE SENTENCES
Support for prisoners serving life sentences and their loved ones
Recognising the significance of remembering crime victims and the hardships they face is essential. It is also important to acknowledge the families and friends of individuals serving life sentences and the ongoing detrimental impact on their lives.
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Currently, in the UK, a large proportion of the prison population are serving some form of life sentence, leaving thousands of families grappling with emotional and financial challenges. The prevalence of long and life sentences is on the rise, necessitating our remembrance of the hidden victims left behind.
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A significant portion of our prison population are serving life sentences, which entail specific minimum tariffs individuals must complete entirely before qualifying for parole. Even after completing the minimum tariff, there is no guarantee of release, as automatic release is not granted to any prisoner serving an indeterminate sentence. Consequently, some individuals may end up serving many additional years beyond their tariff.
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With an increasing number of individuals being sentenced to longer terms and some form of life sentence, the prison population serving life sentences is rapidly growing. As a result, prisoners find themselves spending a significant portion of their lives in prison, ageing behind bars. However, the existing infrastructure and resources are inadequate for individuals serving extended periods in prison. There's a pressing need to address this shortfall and anticipate the resulting challenges, as these issues have repercussions that extend beyond prison walls and affect our communities.
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We are the only official network in the UK solely dedicated to assisting life-sentenced prisoners or their families on the outside. Our aim is to establish an open community and support group that addresses the experiences of prisoners and families enduring their loved ones' sentences, while raising awareness of the effects of these sentences on prisoners, families, and friends.
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Whether it is a relatively long sentence or any type of life sentence that is impacting you, we understand the harm these sentences can inflict, and our primary objective is to provide a lifeline and assure you that you are not alone.
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Given the ongoing increase in life sentences and the escalating minimum tariffs, we urge the government to review sentence lengths, establish more comprehensive structures to address the needs of prisoners serving lengthy tariffs and support their constructive rehabilitation during their time in custody.
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From the start of imprisonment to release and beyond, it is more crucial than ever to shed light on the challenges and difficulties prisoners and families continue to face behind prison walls, upon release, and in their reintegration into society.
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Our network is fully aware of the need for sensitivity and assistance for individuals serving life sentences, and it lies at the heart of our mission. Through our platform, we aim to educate those who come into contact with our network about life sentences and their impact on others.
VARIOUS FORMS OF LIFE SENTENCES
In the UK, Parliament has established a life sentence as the maximum penalty for many offences, allowing trial judges the discretion to impose it in appropriate cases. Various types of life sentences exist, and although some have been abolished, these changes have not been applied retroactively. As a result, thousands of prisoners in the UK are still serving life sentences under old laws. Below are the most commonly used life sentences or those that, while now abolished, are still in operation for those currently in prison.
Mandatory Life Sentence - The mandatory life sentence for murder has been in place since the abolition of the death penalty. It includes a set minimum tariff that must be served before becoming eligible for parole. If released, the individual will be on a life licence.
Automatic Life Sentence (Two Strike Life) - The now abolished automatic life sentence was introduced in section 2 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 for anyone convicted of a second serious offence unless exceptional circumstances permitted the court to decide otherwise.
Discretionary Life - The discretionary life sentence for ‘dangerous offenders’ are given if a person commits a very serious offence.
IPP Sentence - The now abolished Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences were indeterminate and accompanied by a 99-year licence, intended for ‘serious offenders’ who posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public.
DPP Sentence - Detention for Public Protection was the IPP for offenders under the age of 18.
(After the introduction of IPP and DPP, discretionary life sentences seemed to be becoming obsolete. However, with the abolition of IPP, the use of discretionary life sentences seems to be increasing once again).
His Majesty’s Pleasure - Detention during His Majesty’s Pleasure is a mandatory life sentence imposed on individuals who commit murder when under the age of 18. HMP detainees whose tariffs have not expired, are exceptionally entitled to periodic reviews of progress in custody with the possibility of reduction in tariff. Some detainees become eligible for a review once they have reached the halfway point of their current tariffs.
Detention for Life - Detention for life is the maximum sentence for a person aged 10 or over but under 18, who is convicted of offences for which a discretionary life sentence may be passed on a person over the age of 21.
Custody for Life - Custody for life is imposed on offenders under the age of 21 but 18 or over when they are convicted of murder. Custody for life may also be imposed as a discretionary sentence.
The Automatic Life Sentence (for a second ‘listed’ offence) – The revised automatic life sentence was brought into effect for offences committed after 3 December 2012. This represents a new ‘two strikes’ policy, an automatic life sentence for anyone convicted of a second ‘listed’ offence involving serious sexual or violent crime.
Whole Life Order - A whole life order means a prisoner will never be released from prison. No Parole Board review date is set, meaning the prisoner will not have the opportunity for release except in exceptional compassionate circumstances.
OUR CAMPAIGN
Our campaign is committed to raising awareness about the far-reaching consequences of life sentences, shedding light on their hidden conditions, and advocating for the reform of these sentences.
Effective Sentencing, Reviewing Policies, Progression and Reform: Many countries have implemented limits on the duration of life sentences and require regular assessments for potential release after a specified number of years. The underlying principle is to allow for the rehabilitative effects of imprisonment and recognise the potential for personal transformation. However, in the UK, the length of life sentences has more than doubled in recent decades, with a substantial proportion of the prison population serving some type of life sentence, and for many, these sentences are longer than they have been alive. Our campaign advocates for effective sentencing and the implementation of sentence reviews for life-sentenced prisoners. We emphasise the importance of providing rehabilitative resources to support prisoners and facilitate their progress. Instead of merely punishing prisoners more severely, we advocate for sentencing rules that facilitate rehabilitation and positive change. Moreover, we are dedicated to promoting the reform of life sentence conditions and influencing sentencing and progression policies that are currently depriving individuals of hope for rebuilding their lives during and after imprisonment.
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Programmes Supporting Life Sentenced Prisoners: Currently, the UK prison system denies funding for higher education based on the stage of a prisoner's sentence. This policy has severe consequences for individuals who are limited in their opportunities to learn at certain stages of their sentence. We support the campaigns and organisations working to change this policy and urge the government to take action. In the absence of higher education services and courses, we aim to develop and promote tailored programmes and workshops specifically for life-sentenced prisoners. These initiatives play a crucial role in supporting individuals throughout their sentences, especially in the early stages and in the Long-Term High Security Estate. Life-sentenced prisoners require a distinct approach that offers tailored support to help them navigate their sentences, rather than being solely evaluated based on perceived risk. We are eager to collaborate with organisations that can provide these types of programmes and resources. Additionally, we aim to enhance the skill set of prison officials to better support those serving life sentences, highlighting the benefits of providing comprehensive care and support, which can foster improved relationships, prison safety, and morale.
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Maintaining Connection: Having digital skills is crucial for individuals re-entering society from the prison system. Research shows that access to technology is essential for prisoners, particularly those serving life sentences. It's imperative to advocate for technology access for such individuals, enabling them to stay updated on current affairs, maintain connections with the outside world, and engage with developments. By enabling communication with the outside world, we can prevent institutionalisation and mental stagnation, significantly improving prisoners mental well-being and reducing isolation. Denying prisoners access to digital tools only hampers their ability to function effectively in the modern world upon their release.
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Coming Together: Our platform and forum aim to support and unite families and friends affected by the prison system, particularly life sentences. We are focused on establishing a membership community that transcends prison walls, where we can collectively drive positive change for those inside and outside of prison. Through sharing first-hand experiences and knowledge from those serving life sentences, we seek to raise awareness about the impact of life sentences and collectively work towards solutions.
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Inside Information: Prison policies and progression processes can be intricate and challenging to navigate, even for those familiar with the system. Frequent policy changes, unclear information about practices, and stagnation in sentence plans can cause distress, discouragement, and confusion for both prisoners and their loved ones. Our platform provides guidance on the protocols of various processes, including information on pre-tariff sifts, categorisation, risk assessments, courses, parole, licence conditions, and recall.
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Life after Life: For some prisoners, release can be the most challenging phase of their journey. Upon release, prisoners often find that their expectations of returning to normal life are unrealistic, especially after serving lengthy sentences. The world may have changed significantly during their imprisonment, leaving them unprepared. Life-sentenced prisoners face immense difficulty in preparing for release and readjusting to life outside due to ongoing economic and societal obstacles. Limited resources, inadequate support, and stringent licence conditions hinder successful reintegration into the community. Our campaign focuses on identifying specialised support that life-sentenced prisoners can receive towards and after release.
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If we neglect to reform the practices concerning life sentences, the consequences will lead to less safe prisons and communities. It is of utmost importance to provide prisoners with hope and opportunities for redemption. Otherwise, upon release, they might be in their later years, lacking vital life skills and meaningful relationships that could showcase their transformation beyond the crime for which they were imprisoned.