“I’m stuck in a never-ending cycle where suicide is probably the only way out.”
These were the devastating words of a man struggling under an indeterminate sentence who cried out for help to justice minister Alex Chalk.
Matthew Price, 48, was sentenced to public protection (IPP) with a minimum tariff of three years in 2010 for seriously injuring his friend.
“Hopeless” sentences, where offenders were given a minimum tariff but not a maximum tariff, were abolished two years later due to human rights concerns after large numbers of prisoners were left to languish in prisons with no hope of release.
However, these were not changed retroactively and thousands of people began to suffer under penalties branded as “the biggest stain on our justice system”.
Unlike hundreds of IPP prisoners who served more than a decade at the minimum rate, Mr Price was released in 2013. However, it was subject to strict ten-year licensing conditions that could lead to IPP offenders being quickly recalled to prison for even the most minor sentences. violations.
Mr Price, from Leeds, had gone almost a decade in the community without reoffending when he wrote an email to Mr Chalk and other politicians, including the then justice minister Damien Hinds, on May 22.
But amid ongoing mental health issues following his father’s death, he still lived in fear of being sent back to prison. And he feared that seeking mental health support or taking medication would be interpreted by parole officers as an increase in his risk, damaging his chances of escaping harsh license conditions.
His fears worsened after an earlier attempt against him in 2020 resulted in increased scrutiny by probation officers.
Speaking of her pain, she wrote: “The truth is I need mental health support and I feel like I need to go back on medication to cope with this sentence but I’m too afraid to ask for it because doing so won’t work.” against my chances of finishing my sentence.
“My mother cannot believe that she lives in a country where these events are happening in this day and age. I don’t think the broader public can do this either.
“I’m stuck in a never-ending cycle where suicide is probably the only way out.
“Asking for help would be against me, not asking for help would probably kill me.”
He emphasized that he took responsibility for the crimes he committed, but could not escape punishment, and added: “I never denied my crime and took full responsibility.
“Of course I should have gone to prison for what I did, but how can it be right that I should be expected to deal with an inhumane and irreparable sentence, which was abolished in 2012, and at the same time potentially have a license for life? It may never end, and you’re afraid to ask for mental health support help.”
In an open letter shared by his legal team following his death and highlighted in the podcast Trapped: The IPP Prisoner Scandal, Mr Price described IPP sentences as a “backdoor death sentence”.
comes later Independent It revealed that seven IPP prisoners had committed suicide in prison since February, bringing the total death toll to more than 80 lives lost to suicide while serving IPP prison sentences.
“The truth is that the never-ending and never-knowable nature of this phrase fuels poor mental health. “Even if they hang me, there would be finality and clarity,” he wrote.
“The truth is that this long-abolished IPP penalty has proven to be the death penalty entered through the back door in many cases that have grown rapidly in recent times, where people see taking their own lives as the only way out.
“This is a cry for help because this endless sentence and not knowing has hurt and broken me and I don’t know what to do for the best anymore.”
Mr Price’s lawyer, Emma McClure, had been helping him apply to have his license terminated in the weeks before he died. She was the last person to speak to him before his death on June 16.
he said Independent: “There was an element of feeling stuck in almost every conversation she had with him, something she felt she could never escape from.”
While probation reviews do not prevent offenders from accessing mental health support, in practice mental distress can be interpreted as an inability to cope and a potential risk, he said.
His colleague Andrew Sperling said Mr Chalk’s death was all the more tragic given new proposals announced this month to reduce the IPP license period to three years, with Mr Price finally set to be free.
Although the changes were welcome and “long overdue”, he said they came too late for Mr Price. And they don’t help the nearly 3,000 unreleased IPP prisoners; including recent cases highlighted below: Independent Like Wayne Bell, who was sentenced to at least two years in prison for riding a bicycle but no more than 16, and Thomas White, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for stealing a mobile phone.
“The problem is that there are still a lot of people who are detained and never get out,” Mr. Sperling added.
Mr Chalk has so far rejected recommendations from the cross-party Justice Committee to resentence all IPP prisoners.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with Matthew Price’s friends and family.
“We are shortening license periods to give rehabilitated IPP offenders the opportunity to move on with their lives and have introduced additional community mental health support for those at risk of self-harm or suicide.”
If you are feeling distressed or struggling to cope, 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 U.S. resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis helpline available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country you can go www.befrienders.org To find a helpline near you.