Skip to main content

What is an indefinite prison sentence?

What is an indefinite prison sentence?

Find Help

More Items From Ergsy search


Understanding Indefinite Prison Sentences

Indefinite prison sentences are used in the UK to detain offenders who pose a significant risk to the public. Unlike fixed-term sentences, indefinite sentences do not have a set release date. These sentences are designed to protect society by keeping potentially dangerous individuals incarcerated until it is deemed safe for them to be released.

The decision to impose an indefinite sentence generally involves the consideration of the nature and severity of the crime committed. The risk of future offending is also a crucial factor. Indefinite sentences have been subject to both public and legal scrutiny due to their complexity and ethical implications.

Types of Indefinite Sentences

In the UK, two primary types of indefinite prison sentences exist: Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) and life sentences. IPP was introduced in 2005 and designed for offenders posing a high risk to the public. However, IPP sentences were abolished in 2012 due to concerns about their fairness and application.

Life sentences remain a key component of the UK’s judicial system. A life sentence does not necessarily mean life in prison without release. Offenders may be released on parole, but only after serving a minimum term specified by the judge, known as the ‘tariff’.

Release and Parole Considerations

Offenders serving indefinite sentences are reviewed periodically by the Parole Board to assess their suitability for release. The decision to release is based on the offender's behavior in prison and the perceived risk they still pose to the public. Psychological evaluations are often part of this process.

If released, offenders are usually on a life license, meaning they are subject to strict conditions and can be recalled to prison if they breach these terms. This mechanism ensures that released individuals remain under supervision.

Criticism and Reform

Indefinite sentences have faced criticism, notably regarding the uncertainty they create for offenders. The lack of a definite release date can contribute to mental health issues among inmates. Concerns have also been raised about the fairness and consistency of these sentences' application.

Reforms have focused on making the system more transparent and ensuring that sentences are applied according to strict criteria. Abolishing the IPP reflects an ongoing effort to address these concerns and improve the justice system.

The Future of Indefinite Sentences

The ongoing debate about indefinite sentences centers on balancing public safety with individual rights. The justice system continues to evolve, aiming to refine the use and application of such sentences. Future changes may further address criticisms while maintaining the protective intent of the sentencing.

Monitoring and supporting offenders post-release remains crucial to minimizing reoffending. Initiatives focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration into society are key to the system's success.

Understanding Indefinite Prison Sentences

Indefinite prison sentences are used in the UK for people who are seen as very dangerous to others. This means they stay in prison until it is safe for them to leave. There is no set date for when they will be released. These sentences help keep everyone safe.

Judges look at the crime and how serious it is before deciding on an indefinite sentence. They also think about whether the person might commit another crime. Some people have questioned these sentences because they are complicated and might not seem fair.

Types of Indefinite Sentences

In the UK, there are two main types of indefinite prison sentences: Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) and life sentences. IPP was introduced in 2005 for people seen as very dangerous. But it was stopped in 2012 because some thought it was unfair.

Life sentences are still used. This does not always mean the person stays in prison forever. They might be allowed out on parole after serving a minimum time decided by the judge, called the ‘tariff’.

Release and Parole Considerations

People serving indefinite sentences are checked by the Parole Board to see if they can be released safely. They look at the person’s behavior in prison and if they still seem dangerous. This often includes psychological checks.

If the person is let out, they are watched closely and must follow strict rules. If they break these rules, they can be sent back to prison. This helps to keep everyone safe.

Criticism and Reform

Some people do not like indefinite sentences because they leave inmates unsure about when they will be free. This can cause mental health problems for them. There are also worries about how fairly these sentences are given.

Changes have been made to make things clearer and fairer. Stopping IPP sentences is one way the system has tried to improve.

The Future of Indefinite Sentences

People are still talking about whether indefinite sentences are good or bad. It is important to keep the public safe but also respect the rights of the offenders. The justice system keeps changing to address these issues.

Helping people who leave prison is important to stop them from reoffending. There are programs that help them learn and find their place in society again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an indefinite prison sentence?

An indefinite prison sentence is a type of sentence where the exact duration is not set at the time of sentencing. The person will remain in prison until authorities decide it is safe to release them.

How does an indefinite prison sentence differ from a life sentence?

A life sentence means the person will spend their entire life in prison unless paroled, while an indefinite sentence does not specify a maximum duration.

What are some examples of crimes that might result in an indefinite prison sentence?

Serious crimes like murder, sexual offenses, and significant violent crimes may lead to an indefinite prison sentence.

Who decides when a person with an indefinite prison sentence is released?

Parole boards or similar authorities typically decide when a person with an indefinite sentence can be released based on factors like behavior and rehabilitation.

Is there a minimum time that must be served with an indefinite sentence?

Yes, often there is a minimum tariff or period that must be served before release can be considered.

Can an indefinite prison sentence be appealed?

Yes, individuals can typically appeal their sentence or request a review depending on jurisdiction laws.

Are indefinite prison sentences given in all countries?

No, the use and nature of indefinite prison sentences vary by country and legal system.

Why do courts issue indefinite prison sentences?

Courts issue indefinite sentences to protect the public from individuals considered too dangerous to be released without careful assessment.

Is rehabilitation considered in indefinite prison sentences?

Yes, rehabilitation progress can be a factor in deciding if and when a person might be released.

How is an indefinite sentence reviewed?

Indefinite sentences are reviewed periodically, and these reviews consider factors like risk to society, rehabilitation, and behavior in prison.

Do prisoners with indefinite sentences have the same privileges as others?

Privileges often depend on behavior and the prison's rules, not necessarily the type of sentence.

Can an indefinite sentence be converted to a definite one?

In some jurisdictions, based on legal appeals or changes in law, an indefinite sentence can be altered to a determinate one.

What is the role of mental health assessments in indefinite sentences?

Mental health assessments are crucial and influence evaluations of whether a prisoner poses a risk to society.

How does parole work with indefinite prison sentences?

Parole involves supervised release with conditions, and can be granted after the minimum term is served and if the prisoner is deemed not a threat.

Are there special programs for prisoners with indefinite sentences?

Yes, there may be targeted rehabilitation programs aimed at addressing specific behaviors and risks.

Is public safety a consideration in indefinite sentencing?

Yes, protecting public safety is a primary reason for indefinite sentencing.

Can an indefinite sentence end with a conditional release?

Yes, conditional releases may occur where the prisoner must meet specific conditions outside of prison.

Do all jurisdictions have the same requirements for reviewing indefinite sentences?

No, requirements and procedures for reviewing indefinite sentences differ depending on the legal system.

Are there alternatives to indefinite prison sentences?

Alternatives like civil commitment or long-term supervised release may be used instead of indefinite imprisonment in some cases.

How frequently are prisoners with indefinite sentences reviewed for possible release?

Review frequency can vary, but is typically determined by law or by the corrections system's policies, often annually or biannually.

What is an indefinite prison sentence?

An indefinite prison sentence means someone goes to prison, but they do not know when they will get out. They have to stay in prison until it is decided they are safe to leave.

If you find this hard to understand, you can:

  • Ask someone you trust to explain it to you.
  • Use a picture or drawing to help you understand.
  • Break the information into smaller parts to make it easier.

An indefinite prison sentence is when someone goes to prison, but we don't know how long they will stay there. The person will stay in prison until the authorities say it is okay for them to leave.

What is the difference between an indefinite prison sentence and a life sentence?

When someone goes to prison, they get a sentence. This tells how long they will stay in jail.

A life sentence means a person will spend the rest of their life in prison. They might get out sometimes on parole, but mainly they stay in prison for life.

An indefinite sentence means the person does not know how long they will stay in prison. They could stay in prison for a long time. But they might also get out earlier if they are well-behaved or if they get help.

To better understand, use tools like audiobooks or ask an adult for help.

A life sentence means a person stays in prison for their whole life unless they are allowed to leave early, which is called parole. An indefinite sentence does not say how long the person will be in prison.

Here are some helpful tips to understand this better:

  • Ask for Help: If you find a sentence hard to understand, ask someone to explain it to you.
  • Use Pictures: Drawing a picture of the story can help you understand what is happening.
  • Read Out Loud: Reading the sentence out loud can make it easier to understand.

What are some crimes where you might go to prison for a long time?

Here are some examples of crimes:

  • Hurting someone very badly or killing someone.
  • Doing something very dangerous that could harm many people.
  • Taking part in terrorist activities.

Remember:

  • You can ask a teacher or a helper if you need support.
  • Using pictures or diagrams can help you understand better.

Big crimes like killing someone, sexual crimes, and very violent crimes can make a person go to jail for a very long time—maybe even forever.

Who says when a person in prison can go home?

Parole boards are groups that decide when someone in prison can leave. They look at how the person behaves and if they have learned to live better outside of prison.

Do people with an indefinite sentence have to stay in prison for a minimum time?

People who get an indefinite sentence don't have a set time to leave prison. But, they usually have to stay for at least a certain number of years. This is called a 'minimum time.' After this time, a special group checks to see if the person is ready to leave prison.

Here are some things that can help:

  • Reading Help: You can use audiobooks or read-aloud tools to hear the words.
  • Easy Words: Try reading with a word list to understand new words.
  • Ask Questions: If you don't understand, ask someone to explain it to you.

Yes, sometimes people have to stay in jail for a certain time before they can leave.

Can you ask to change a prison sentence with no end date?

If someone goes to prison but does not know when they will get out, they might want to ask for a change. This is called "appealing".

Here are some things to help understand:

  • You can ask a judge to look at the sentence again.
  • You might need a lawyer to help you.
  • It can take time for the judge to decide.
  • Some tools that might help: ask someone to explain it to you, or use pictures to make it clearer.

Yes, people can usually ask for a change to their sentence or a re-check of it. This depends on the laws where they live.

Do all countries give prison sentences with no end date?

Some countries can put people in prison without saying when they will get out. But not every country does this.

No, not all prison sentences that don't have a set end date are the same. Different countries have different rules about them.

Why do courts give prison sentences with no end date?

Sometimes, a court decides that a person should stay in prison for a very long time.

This can happen if the person is seen as very dangerous.

The court wants to make sure everyone is safe.

Here are some ways to understand better:

  • Ask someone to read with you.
  • Use pictures to help explain.
  • Take your time to think about each sentence.

Courts give these special sentences to keep people safe from those who might be too dangerous to let go without checking carefully.

Does a person in prison forever get help to change?

Yes, getting better can help decide if someone can leave earlier.

How is a long sentence looked at again?

Indefinite sentences are looked at from time to time. During these checks, people see if the person is a danger to others, if they have changed while in prison, and how they behave in prison.

Do prisoners with no end date to their sentence get the same benefits as other prisoners?

Privileges in prison depend on how you behave and the prison's rules. It doesn't always matter what kind of sentence you have.

Can a sentence without an end be changed to have an end?

In some places, laws can change. When they do, a person who was given a sentence with no end date can sometimes have that sentence changed to one with a clear end date.

You can use tools like charts to help understand better. Talking to someone who knows the law can help too.

Why are mental health check-ups important for long sentences?

Mental health checks are very important. They help decide if a person in prison might be dangerous to others.

How does parole work for prisoners with sentences that have no set end date?

When someone is in prison with an indefinite sentence, it means they do not have a specific day to be released. Parole is when they can leave prison early.

For someone with an indefinite sentence, there are special rules for parole. These prisoners must show they are ready to live outside prison safely. A group of people, called the parole board, checks if the prisoner is ready to leave. They look at the prisoner's behavior and if they will obey the law outside prison.

If the parole board thinks the prisoner is ready, they can let them out. But if they break the rules outside, they might go back to prison.

Tools like picture guides or videos can help you understand more about parole.

Parole means a person can leave prison early but must follow special rules. This can happen after they spend enough time in prison and if it's safe for them to be out.

Are there special programs for prisoners with sentences that do not have an end date?

Some prisoners have sentences that do not have a set end date. These are called "indefinite sentences." For these prisoners, there might be special programs to help them.

These programs can teach skills, help with feelings, or prepare for the future. If you want to know more, you can ask a prison officer or social worker for help. They can give you information and support.

Some people find it helpful to use tools like audiobooks, or to break information into smaller parts to understand it better. You can also use pictures or drawings to help understand things more clearly.

Yes, there are special programs you can go to. These programs help with certain behaviors and risks.

Is keeping people safe a reason for forever sentences?

Yes, keeping people safe is why some sentences last a long time.

Can someone with a sentence that doesn't have a set end date be let out early if they behave well?

Yes, sometimes people can leave prison early if they follow certain rules.

Do all places check indefinite sentences the same way?

No, the rules for checking sentences that last forever are different in each place.

Are there other options instead of forever in prison?

Some people go to prison for a long time. Are there other ways to help them?

Here are some ideas:

  • Programs to change behavior: Help people learn new, better habits.
  • Community service: Work for the community instead of staying in prison.
  • Probation: Live outside of prison with rules to follow.

Tools to help understand:

  • Ask someone you trust to explain.
  • Use pictures or drawings to help.
  • Find videos about it.

Sometimes, people don't have to stay in prison forever. Instead, they might get help in a special hospital or be watched by someone for a long time to make sure everyone stays safe.

How often do people in prison with no set release date get checked to see if they can leave?

Here's what happens:

  • People in prison for an indeterminate time have their cases reviewed regularly.
  • This means someone looks at their progress to decide if they can leave prison.
  • Usually, this review happens every few years.

If you want to learn more, you can:

  • Ask someone you trust to explain more.
  • Use a computer or phone to look up more information.

The rules for how often reviews happen can be different. Sometimes, the law decides. Other times, the rules from the correction system decide. Reviews usually happen once or twice a year.

If you find it hard to read this, you might like to use tools that read text aloud. It’s also okay to ask someone for help to understand better.

Useful Links

Useful Links : What is an indefinite prison sentence?
Indeterminate Sentences

Information from the Prison Reform Trust on indeterminate sentences, also known as indefinite prison sentences.
Types of Sentence

Overview of different types of sentences, including indeterminate sentences, from the Sentencing Council.
Indefinite Sentences for Public Protection

Research by The Griffins Society on the impact and details of indefinite sentences for public protection.
Important Information On Using This Service


This website offers general information and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals. If you have any medical concerns or need urgent help, contact a healthcare professional or emergency services immediately.

  • Ergsy carfully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
  • Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
  • To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
Using Subtitles and Closed Captions
  • Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
  • You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
Turn Captions On or Off
  • Go to the video you'd like to watch.
  • If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
  • To turn on Captions, click settings .
  • To turn off Captions, click settings again.

More Items From Ergsy search