Driven to mental ill-health: The 233 IPP prisoners in secure hospitals

"Under an abolished indefinite jail term recognised as psychological torture by the UN for robbing a mobile phone, he had spiralled into psychosis and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. His family had spent six years battling for his hospital transfer after he endured repeated mental health crises in prison, including setting himself alight in desperation and smashing his own face on the cell floor."

"The open-ended jail terms were abolished in 2012, but not retrospectively, leaving almost 2,500 already sentenced incarcerated indefinitely. At least 94 people have taken their own lives in prison after losing hope of getting out. A senior doctor, who treats IPPs, has warned that more will likely take their lives in custody unless the government moves to end the scandal."

Thomas White spent 13 years on an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence and developed paranoid schizophrenia after spiralling into psychosis while imprisoned for a phone robbery. Families fought for hospital transfers after repeated prison mental-health crises, including self-harm and severe injury. IPP sentences were abolished in 2012 but not retrospectively, leaving almost 2,500 prisoners incarcerated indefinitely and prompting transfers of at least 233 to secure hospitals. At least 94 prisoners have killed themselves after losing hope of release. Medical reports warn extended IPP incarceration obstructs recovery, and campaigners urge hospital stays until patients are ready for community reintegration.

Read at www.independent.co.uk