IPP/Lifers

For those living on a life license there are added issues, that we in New Connections are well aware of. We have many years experience working with this cohort of people.

Living life on a license

Life sentenced prisoners, IPP sentenced prisoners and recalled prisoners need to get approval from the Parole Board before they can be released. Prisoners who have had, or still have, problems with substance abuse or addiction, find this process especially challenging. Our clients come to us directly or by referral from their lawyers. Over one hundred lawyers from all over the country have made referrals to us since we were founded in 2018.

New Connections work with men and women, and currently have clients in over 25 prisons up and down the country, during the months building up to a Parole Board hearing to help prepare a plan for dealing with addiction issues. Our team includes people with direct personal experience of IPP sentences, giving us an insight into this journey that goes beyond professional training alone.

Effect of Knock Backs

For IPP prisoners the psychological trauma of knock-backs is huge, we work with our clients to help them with this and also to write a report and plan to present to the parole board to try to demonstrate the readiness and suitability of our clients for release

The IPP Action Plan: what it means for our clients

In 2024, the Victims and Prisoners Act introduced the first ever automatic licence termination route for IPP prisoners. Those who have been on licence for three years or more, and who have spent two continuous years in the community without recall, are now able to apply to have their IPP licence ended. This is a significant step forward, but it places new demands on individuals who have often spent many years in custody and face considerable challenges in maintaining the stability required to reach that milestone.

At New Connections, we provide the specialist, long-term support that makes sustained community reintegration possible. We understand the psychological weight of indefinite licence conditions, the fear of recall, and the practical barriers to building a stable life after a very long sentence. Our support is designed to help clients not just survive life on licence, but to genuinely thrive and, where they meet the qualifying criteria, to work towards the milestone of licence termination.

Our Process

We focus on four main areas when we work with our clients:

1. SUPPORT WHILST IN PRISON

Support starts in prison with a comprehensive assessment of the client’s needs

An agreement on his/her treatment plan.

Followed by individual and group therapies as appropriate

Client attendance at self help fellowship meetings.

2. PREPARATION FOR RELEASE

We work with the client to ensure appropriate housing is in place on release

Ensure the required level of therapeutic intervention which may include residential rehabilitation

And/or attendance at New Connections for individual or group sessions.

New Connections also prepares a report for Parole wherever this is required and are available to attend Parole hearings as expert witness.

3. SUPPORT AFTER RELEASE

Where possible we can meet clients at the prison gate on the day of release, we can escort them to their first appointments, including probation, local drug intervention services, and their agreed accommodation.

Ongoing support includes individual counselling and mentoring, connecting with AA or NA, finding a sponsor, and building wider community networks, with a personalised care plan reviewed at one, three, and six months post-release across ten key areas including mental health, accommodation, and personal goals.

If a client breaks contact at any point, we make five attempts to re-establish communication. The care plan is shared with probation and all relevant professionals, and clients always know they can reach out to us at any time.

4. LIFE IN RECOVERY

New Connections intention is to provide support for ex-offenders so that he/she can make the fundamental changes necessary to live happy and fulfilling lives.

Based on a life free from drugs and crime and the bondage to that lifestyle.

We follow the same individual through custody, parole, release, and any subsequent recalls: frequently the only continuous relationship they have across multiple institutions and supervision periods.

5. IPP WORKSHOPS

Who: Prison officers, probation staff, offender managers, housing officers, and council workers: anyone whose role brings them into contact with IPP-sentenced individuals.

Why: IPP sentences carry a psychological weight that most standard training does not prepare practitioners for. Understanding this cohort, and how to support them effectively, makes a measurable difference to outcomes.

How: Our bespoke workshops are delivered in-prison or remotely, co-facilitated by people with direct lived experience of IPP sentences, and tailored to your setting and your team.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR IPP WORKSHOPS FOR PROFESSIONALS

The Recall Process

IPP prisoners are often stuck in a recall cycle where their route to full integration back into society is hindered by the realities of living on a license. At New Connections we focus heavily on post release support whether that is utilising our partners or providing support with our mentorship programme or through our consultants one-to-one support with their clients, we work closely with the probation services to help build relationships.

Do you work with IPP-sentenced individuals?

New Connections offers bespoke training for prison officers, probation staff, offender managers, housing officers, and council workers. Our IPP Awareness Training is co-facilitated by people with direct lived experience of this sentence, and can be delivered in-prison or remotely.

Find out about our professional training

Do you know someone who needs help?

If you know of someone who needs help please use the referral form here.

REFER A PRISONER

IPP/Lifers

Living life on a license

Effect of Knock Backs

The IPP Action Plan: what it means for our clients

Our Process

1.

SUPPORT WHILST IN PRISON

2.

PREPARATION FOR RELEASE

3.

SUPPORT AFTER RELEASE

4.

LIFE IN RECOVERY

5.

IPP WORKSHOPS

The Recall Process

Do you work with IPP-sentenced individuals?

Do you know someone who needs help?

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