Our diocese hosts a group whose focus is criminal justice. The group offers a faith perspective on criminal justice matters and raises awareness of the issues. CJAG offers this bi-monthly prayer guide which we hope will be useful for personal and intercessory prayer in local parishes. May's prayers focus on those serving an indeterminate sentence.
Do pass it on to those in your church who would be interested and encourage its usage [If anyone would like to receive a direct copy then please email diana@fulbrook.co.uk].
Welcome to the CJAG Prayer Guide for May
Those serving an indeterminate sentence
An indeterminate sentence is a prison term without a fixed end date, used for serious offences where the offender poses a significant risk to the public. It includes a minimum term ("tariff") set by a judge that must be served, after which the Parole Board decides if the prisoner is safe to be released on licence. If released, individuals are on licence for the rest of their lives/a very long, set period, meaning they can be recalled to prison if they breach conditions.
The most common form is the life sentence (c7,570 "unreleased" prisoners, with 74 serving whole life orders), but also significant is Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP). Introduced in 2005 for those considered dangerous but whose offence did not merit life, it had severe and unforeseen consequences, with people being held in prison many years beyond their tariff. They were therefore abolished in 2012 but this was not made retrospective.
Despite reforms, many still remain in prison for years (some over 20 yrs), with thousands struggling with their mental health in a "trapped" state. IPP is regarded as one of the most unjust punishments ever ordered in this country with many seeing the injustice and inhumanity of the current situation. 946 IPPs have never been released, 73% of whom have spent >10 years on top of their tariff (25% >15 years). 1,476 (61%) have been recalled. Examples include: An IPP sentenced to 2 yrs in 2012 for stealing a mobile phone, developed serious mental health problems 4 yrs later, and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia - it took 6 years to move him to a hospital for treatment. The longest-serving IPP has spent over 20 years in prison on a minimum tariff of 30 months; and another with a tariff of 19 months & 27 days for threatening a man as he tried to cadge a cigarette was released after more than 18yrs but was recalled 10 weeks later for taking Valium to ease anxiety.
Evidence shows the adverse mental health impact of being trapped in a sentence with little hope of release. 90 IPPs have tragically taken their own life and 233 serving IPPs are in secure hospitals.
God of justice, we lift up to you those serving indeterminate sentences, both in prison and on licence in the community. We pray for their mental health, particularly those overwhelmed by the weight of their futures being on hold with no clear end in sight. In times of depression, let them know your nearness, and in moments of despair, be their light and anchor. Father, you know the pain of being condemned. May all those working alongside them guide them with compassion, fairness, and empathy, and support them to find meaning, hope and purpose in their lives. Amen
Especially we pray for:
- All those who have never been released and have no clear release date
- Those recalled for a minor breach of their licence, awaiting a further release decision (c 2 yrs)
- Families and friends of long term prisoners, watching their deterioration
- Those facing release challenges eg securing suitable & stable accommodation/employment; rebuilding relationships; mental & social adjustment; adapting to technological, cultural, and societal changes; and feelings of isolation and disorientation in the outside world
- Those on long term licence in the community and the anxiety of being recalled (“Release is not the same as freedom”)
- The mental health of those serving sentences with no end in sight and experiencing hopelessness
- Staff and those supporting and working with lifers and IPPs
