A man from Cardiff, Leroy Douglas, is still behind bars 20 years after committing a robbery at Cardiff Central Station in 2005. Douglas, now 43, stole a mobile phone in a bid to get help for drug addiction through a community order. Despite making progress during his time in prison, having stayed clean and completed over 30 courses for personal development, Douglas continues to be affected by the now-abolished Imprisonment for Public Protect (IPP) jail term scheme. Under this scheme, IPP prisoners have no set release date but are reviewed individually by the Parole Board to determine fitness for release. Despite psychologists affirming Douglas is safe for release, the Parole Board has yet to make that decision, leaving him serving over eight times his original two-and-a-half-year sentence.
Natalie Douglas, Leroy’s sister, has taken action by setting up a petition to raise awareness and seek a review of her brother’s case. She highlights the inherent injustice within the criminal justice system, stating that Leroy’s prolonged incarceration exemplifies a disparity between the crime committed and the punishment meted out. Of the 2,614 individuals still serving IPP jail terms, 127 prisoners have surpassed 15 years beyond their minimum term, with Douglas being one of 186 individuals serving at least five times longer than their original sentence. Starting his criminal history at just 15 due to drug use, Douglas accumulated several convictions related to funding his addiction. Notably, his 2005 robbery did not involve violence, yet resulted in his indefinite IPP term.
Natalie emphasises the need for action, asserting that Leroy has served his time and is subject to a sentence that was abolished in 2012. While acknowledging the importance of prioritising public protection, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson recognises the necessity to support those still serving IPP sentences. Meanwhile, Douglas and his family appeal to UK government justice secretary Shabana Mahmood for intervention to facilitate his release. The government review reveals a concerning trend where despite a decline in crime incidents over the past 25 years, the prison population has increased by 10%. This rise is attributed to a tougher stance on crime by successive ministers, leading to longer prison sentences and overcrowded prisons near the “brink of collapse.”
The Independent Sentencing Review report underscores the severity of sentences increasing by 40% since the early ’90s in Wales and England, with the average custodial sentence for serious crimes extending from 16 to 22.5 months. Leroy Douglas’s case sheds light on the complexities and implications of the UK’s criminal justice system, where outdated sentencing frameworks can result in individuals like Douglas serving extended and seemingly disproportionate terms. As debates on reform and rehabilitation continue, cases like Leroy’s underscore the need for a nuanced and equitable approach to sentencing and parole decisions, ensuring a fair balance between public safety and the potential for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.