A father trapped under a revoked indefinite prison sentence tried to make six attempts on his own life after serving 25 times his original sentence. Independent can reveal.
James Lawrence was sentenced to a minimum of eight months in prison in 2006 for threatening someone with a gun.
Then, aged 20, he told the court he carried an imitation gun for protection after he nearly lost his life in a stabbing in the same area of Southampton a year earlier.
The man, now 38, is believed to be one of Britain’s longest-serving IPP prisoners, having spent almost 18 years in custody.
However Independent He learned that Labor would turn its back on him and nearly 3,000 other IPP prisoners still languishing in cells by refusing to review their indefinite prison terms.
IPP sentences were annulled in 2012 due to human rights concerns, but this is not the case for those currently detained.
“In his day, he saw killers go in and go back to their homes,” said Mandy Lawrence, James’ heartbroken mother. Independent.
“This is torturous even for his family, let alone himself. I keep thinking, will I ever see him properly before I die? I was in my forties when he walked in there and now I’m in my sixties. It’s heartbreaking, to be honest.”
At the time of his sentence, due to the lesser amount of time in custody, Mr Lawrence was required to remain in prison for a further four months and 14 days before completing his eight-month minimum tariff. He was also given a 10-month concurrent sentence, which has already expired, for assault in a separate drunken bar fight.
A growing number of campaigners, including Lord Blunkett, who was home secretary when IPPs were introduced, are calling for them to go, with families saying it would be “inexcusable” if they refused.
Independent We understand from Ministry of Justice sources that re-sentencing is not being considered due to concerns about the release of large numbers of dangerous prisoners.
But Labor Lord Woodley, who introduced a bill earlier this month that will be resented by all IPP prisoners, insists there is “everything to play for”.
“Ministers are not yet on the same page about the application of heat proposed by my private member’s bill,” he told this publication. “But they share my determination to end the IPP penalty scandal once and for all. So there’s everything to play for.”
He said Mr Lawrence’s situation was “shocking” and he hoped the bill would help him and similar prisoners get out of prison.
Of the 2,734 IPP inmates still inside, more than 700 served more than 10 years at the minimum rate.
These include a number of injustices highlighted. Independent Like Thomas White, who set himself on fire after serving 12 years in prison for stealing a mobile phone, and Abdullahi Suleman, who spent 19 years behind bars for laptop robbery.
At least 90 IPP prisoners took their own lives in prison because they lost hope of being released.
Mrs Lawrence explained that her son, once a talented footballer, had fallen into the recall merry-go-round that many IPP prisoners experience and could be sent back to prison for minor breaches of strict licensing conditions.
He has been recalled to prison five times in the last twenty years and remains in prison despite no conviction.
According to the documents he saw IndependentOn one occasion, Mr. Lawrence was recalled two months after his release because he returned to his hostel on bail two hours and five minutes after curfew.
On another occasion, he ran away for six months to be with his pregnant wife for the birth of their daughter.
The stress forced Ms Lawrence, 65, from near Winchester, to take early retirement from her job as an NHS mental health nurse. Meanwhile, his parents did not live to see their grandchildren released from prison.
“It broke my father’s heart to be fair because he loved James even though he was, in his own words, a bit of a grump,” Ms. Lawrence said.
“James is not a bad person, he was really kind and gentle, and suddenly this situation escalated. He was a great football player and went to a school of excellence, but everything fell apart and no one could do anything.
“I blamed myself for years. Then you worry about the times he tried to kill himself, will he try again?”
He said Mr. Lawrence had made numerous attempts on his own life, including two this year alone. He once had not eaten or drunk for five days and was found unconscious in his cell.
The mother called on the government to urgently charge all remaining IPP prisoners, starting with those with the lowest original tariff.
He added: “I think [resentencing] This should have happened when they abolished the IPP penalty in 2012. The lower rate prisoners in particular should all be offended and run over those with longer sentences.
“But no, they’re not interested. “I think it’s because they think they’re going to try to get compensation from the government, and they deserve it.”
In 2022 the justice select committee issued recommendations for the then Conservative government to resentence all IPP prisoners, but this was rejected. Earlier this year, it was decided to reduce the license period for released IPP prisoners from 10 years to three years.
Lord Woodley said: “This is a shocking case; one of many shocking cases. I welcome the recent steps taken by Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood to reduce the risk of unnecessary imprisonment; I hope this will help others like James in the future.
“However, we need to release from prison the IPP prisoners who are still languishing in prison, years after the deadline set by the trial judge. “My angry bill will help achieve that.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “It is true that IPP penalties have been abolished. The Chancellor is committed to working with organizations and campaign groups to ensure the appropriate action plan is implemented to support people currently serving IPP sentences.
“The Prison Service continues to provide additional support to those currently detained, including improving access to rehabilitation programs and mental health support.”
If you are experiencing distressed emotions or having difficulty coping, you can talk or email the Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI). jo@samaritans.orgor visit Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are a US resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call or text 988 or visit: 988lifeline.org To access online chat on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis helpline that anyone can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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