Coroner concerned over indefinite prison sentences

A coroner has written to the prisons minister raising concerns following the death of a prisoner serving an indeterminate sentence.

Scott Berry, 37, was found unconscious in his cell and later in hospital after being discovered by staff at HMP Humber in East Yorkshire in October 2023.

Sarah Middleton, assistant coroner for Hull and East Yorkshire, said Berry had been jailed for two years and four months, but remained in prison 15 years later.

He was given an indeterminate Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence for people considered dangerous, but whose offence did not merit a life sentence.

IPP sentences, which were abolished in 2012, included a minimum prison term but could lead to indefinite detention if release was not deemed safe.

In her Prevention of Future Deaths report, the coroner said that although a review of IPP prisoners has led to a reduction in the number in jails "there still remains a large number of unreleased IPP prisoners in prison".

"For those who remain detained in prison, some many years after their original tariff, there is still a long period for them to wait for a review," Middleton wrote.

"These prisoners are suffering with their mental health and still have little hope of release. If action is not taken with regard to those still serving these sentences in prison, then there is a risk of future deaths occurring."

The inquest into Berry's death in October 2025 heard that he "was frustrated by his sentence and had little hope of being released which he voiced to a number of staff and professionals".

A narrative conclusion by a jury ruled that it was unclear whether Berry had intended to take his own life.

In response, HM Prison and Probation Service wrote to the coroner saying it was "fully committed to supporting the progression of those prisoners serving IPP sentences to the point where the independent Parole Board determines that they may be safely released".

The letter said that "reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths in custody is a key priority".

It added: "Staff work hard to identify and support prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm".

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