Josh Mcrae's Indefinite Sentence Denied Him Life Outside Prison
- Josh Mcrae spent 16 years in prison due to an indefinite jail term despite only being sentenced for a minimum of four years.
- He was found dead in his cell at HMP Long Lartin at the age of 34, shortly after his mother spoke with him during a video call.
- His case has drawn attention to the serious implications of IPP sentences, which have been labeled as cruel and psychologically damaging.
Josh Mcrae, sentenced to a four-year minimum term at the age of 17, spent 16 years behind bars due to the indefinite imprisonment for public protection (IPP) he received. His mother, Theresa Mcrae, shared that he missed 17 Christmases with his family and hinted at a bleak future during their last conversation, stating that he would only leave prison in a body bag. Tragically, Josh was found dead in his cell at HMP Long Lartin at the age of 34, shortly after a prison governor indicated that he was being considered for release. This situation highlights the psychological toll of IPP sentences, which have been criticized as “psychological torture”, with many prisoners losing hope over lengthy detentions and the stigma of being labeled dangerous. At least 90 such prisoners have taken their lives, underscoring the urgent need for reform in the handling of IPP sentences, which have since been abolished. The Ministry of Justice continues to seek improvements in mental health support and rehabilitation for remaining IPP prisoners as a response to these ongoing issues.