My son was jailed indefinitely for stealing a mobile - we've waited 21 years to see him released
Summary
Leroy Douglas was jailed in 2005 for stealing a mobile phone and given an Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection (IPP), which means he was held in prison with no fixed release date after a minimum term. More than 20 years later, he is finally set to be released in October 2026, shortly before the government announced plans to end IPP sentences.Key Facts
- Leroy Douglas was 24 when sentenced in 2005 for stealing a mobile phone.
- He received an IPP sentence, meaning no set release date after a minimum time served.
- He remained in prison for over 20 years, much longer than the original minimum term of 2.5 years.
- IPP sentences were introduced to keep serious offenders detained as a public protection measure.
- IPP sentences were stopped in 2012 due to criticism but were not applied retroactively.
- Around 2,200 prisoners remain in custody on IPP sentences as of mid-2026.
- A human rights lawyer helped secure Leroy’s upcoming release by challenging the legality of his detention.
- Leroy will be released under strict conditions, including an electronic tag and being housed far from his family, who want him closer for support.
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