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“I am trapped in an endless cycle where suicide seems like the only escape.”
These were the devastating words of a man struggling under an indeterminate sentence as he issued a cry for help to justice secretary Alex Chalk.
In 2010, Matthew Price, age 48, received an IPP sentence for injuring his friend severely, with a minimum of three years to be served before being eligible for release.
The “hopeless” sentences, where perpetrators were given a minimum term without a set maximum, were eliminated two years after due to human rights worries. This was prompted by numerous prisoners who were left in prison without any chance of being released.
Unfortunately, they were not retroactively altered, causing numerous individuals to struggle with sentences that have been labeled as the “largest blemish on our legal system.”
In contrast to many IPP prisoners who have exceeded their minimum sentence by over ten years, Mr. Price was set free in 2013. Nevertheless, he was placed under strict conditions for a period of ten years, which could result in immediate return to prison for any small violations by IPP offenders.
Alex Chalk, the Secretary of Justice (Lucy North/PA)
On May 22, Mr. Price from Leeds wrote an email to Mr. Chalk and other politicians, such as former justice minister Damien Hinds, after successfully completing ten years in the community without committing any further offenses.
However, despite his ongoing mental health challenges after the passing of his father, he remained constantly afraid of being sent back to jail. He was also filled with fear that seeking mental health assistance or using medication would be seen as a higher risk by his probation officers, ultimately harming his chances of being released from the strict conditions of his parole.
His concerns were worsened following a prior attack on his well-being in 2020, which led to heightened monitoring by probation officers.
He expressed his distress by saying, “In reality, I require assistance with my mental health and believe I should resume medication to manage this sentence. However, I am afraid to ask for it as it may harm my chances of completing my sentence.”
My mom is in disbelief that she resides in a country where this is occurring in the present time. I don’t believe the general public can comprehend it either.
”
I am trapped in a perpetual cycle, where suicide may be the only way to escape.
If I ask for assistance, it will work against me. However, if I don’t ask for help, it could potentially result in my demise.
He maintained that he had accepted accountability for his wrongdoings but saw no way to avoid the punishment. He further stated, “I have never denied my actions and have fully accepted responsibility.”
“I acknowledge that my actions required me to serve time in prison, but it seems unjust that I am now expected to manage a deeply flawed sentence, which is inhumane and was eliminated in 2012. Additionally, I am also subjected to a potentially lifelong probation that may never end, causing me to feel afraid to seek mental health assistance.”
The Chair of the Justice Select Committee, Sir Bob Neill, has been advocating for the government to reconsider the sentences of IPP prisoners.
The open letter, which was released by his legal team after his death and featured on the podcast “Trapped: The IPP Prisoner Scandal”, Mr. Price strongly criticized IPP sentences as a form of “death penalty in disguise”.
After The Independent reported that seven inmates serving an IPP sentence had committed suicide in prison since February, the total number of deaths by suicide while serving this sentence has reached over 80.
The constant and uncertain nature of this sentence contributes to poor mental health. Even if I had been executed, there would have been a clear ending and understanding.
“The truth is that this long abolished IPP sentence has proved to be capital punishment through the back door in many cases with those who have seen taking their own lives as the only way out growing rapidly recently.
I am seeking assistance as this unending sentence and uncertainty have overwhelmed and devastated me, leaving me unsure of the best course of action.
Before he passed away on June 16th, Emma McClure, the lawyer for Mr. Price, was assisting him with his application to have his license revoked. She was the final person to communicate with him.
According to her interview with The Independent, she mentioned that nearly every conversation with him involved him feeling trapped and hopeless, believing that he would never be able to break free from the situation.
While probation reviews do not restrict offenders from receiving mental health assistance, it is often perceived that experiencing mental distress may indicate an inability to handle the situation and pose a potential threat.
David Blunkett, the former Home Secretary under New Labour in 2005, has expressed remorse for implementing IPP sentences.
Andrew Sperling, a colleague of Mr. Price, stated that his passing is particularly sorrowful in light of the recent announcement by Mr. Chalk to decrease the IPP license duration to three years. This would have meant that Mr. Price would have been released from prison.
While the alterations are appreciated and “much needed”, Mr. Price expressed that they were made too late. Unfortunately, they do not provide assistance to nearly 3,000 IPP inmates who remain incarcerated – a situation that has been brought to light by recent cases featured by The Independent, such as Wayne Bell who received a minimum two-year sentence for stealing a bike but has now served over 16 years, and Thomas White who has been imprisoned for 11 years for stealing a mobile phone.
Mr. Sperling stated that there are still many individuals who remain in custody and have not been released.
Mr. Chalk has currently declined to follow the cross-party recommendations from the Justice Committee to review the sentences of all prisoners serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP).
A representative from the Ministry of Justice stated: “Our condolences are still with the loved ones of Matthew Price.”
“We have shortened the duration of licenses in order to provide rehabilitated IPP offenders with the chance to move forward in their lives. Additionally, we have implemented extra community mental health resources for individuals who may be at risk of self-harm or suicide.”
If you are feeling distressed or having difficulty coping, you can contact the Samaritans for support. This can be done confidentially through a call to 116 123 (UK and ROI), emailing [email protected], or visiting the Samaritans website to locate your nearest branch.
If you are located in the United States and are in need of immediate mental health support, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a toll-free and confidential crisis hotline that is accessible 24/7 for anyone seeking assistance.
If you are currently abroad, you can visit www.befrienders.org to locate a helpline in your vicinity.
Source: independent.co.uk
