The upcoming trial of Joe Outlaw, who spent hours on the roof of a high-security prison wearing only his underpants, is set to become a significant case in legal history as it may mark the first time stress caused by indeterminate sentences is used as a legal defense. Outlaw is due to stand trial on Monday for climbing onto the roof of HMP Frankland, Durham, in June 2023, as a form of protest against the imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence he and others are serving. Having spent 13 years in jail, much of that time in isolation, after receiving an IPP for a robbery he does not remember due to being drunk and high at the time, Outlaw’s case highlights the controversial nature of these sentences.
Two months before his Durham protest, Outlaw staged a 12-hour sit-in on the roof of Strangeways, HMP Manchester, where he painted “FREE IPPZ”. He is also set to be tried for “escape from lawful custody” and for damaging the roof of Strangeways, as well as for starting a fire in his cell as part of a suicide attempt.
The issue of IPP sentences is being brought back to the forefront with this case, as 2,544 prisoners were still serving these sentences as of March, despite their abolition in 2012. The legislation to end these sentences was not made retroactive, leaving many prisoners in a state of legal limbo.
Reform and Rebuild, a prison advocacy group set to give evidence in the trial, believes it’s overdue for the courts to consider the psychological stress IPPs cause among prisoners. The group, along with campaigners like Cherrie Nichols, whose brother is serving an IPP, argue that the lack of a definitive release date has led to desperate actions and has driven some prisoners to suicide. Despite some progress, such as shortening the licences of those released from IPPs from 10 to 3 years, the fight to reshape the system continues, with campaigners emphasizing the need to keep pushing for change to prevent these injustices from being forgotten.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/28/uk-jail-escape-trial-reignites-debate-over-indefinite-sentences
