A father, Matthew Booth, is facing an unfair recall to prison due to false reports about his love life with the mother of his children, Abigail Vernon. Despite already serving his minimum term more than three times over, Matthew is now a fugitive living in a tent to avoid going back to prison indefinitely.
Matthew was handed an indefinite Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence when he was 16 for a crime he committed at the age of 15. This sentence means he can be recalled without notice for any breaches of strict licence conditions. Despite being widely criticized and eventually abolished in 2012, the abolition did not apply retrospectively, leaving many prisoners like Matthew stuck in a cycle of recalls for minor breaches.
Matthew’s case highlights the challenges faced by IPP prisoners who are trapped in a system that offers no release date until the Parole Board deems them safe. The strict conditions of their release often lead to recalls for minor infractions, resulting in prolonged stays in prison with no end in sight.
Abigail has been advocating for Matthew, insisting that the claims about their relationship are false and that he is being unfairly punished for a crime he committed as a teenager. The couple is calling on the justice secretary to intervene and cancel Matthew’s recall, citing the impact it has on their family and his mental health.
Recent reforms in the justice system, such as reducing the minimum licence period for IPP prisoners, do not offer much help to cases like Matthew’s. Campaigners are urging for a review of all IPP sentences and for more humane treatment of recalled prisoners and their families. The current system of recalls is described as deeply traumatic for the prisoners and their loved ones.
Matthew’s story sheds light on the injustices faced by IPP prisoners and the need for a more compassionate and fair approach to their cases. The struggle of individuals like Matthew to rebuild their lives after serving their time highlights the flaws in the current system and the urgent need for reform.
