Roddy and Robert Russell’s story, plus Sam explores why IPP serving prisoners are finding it so hard to get released by the parole board.
Roddy Russell first found out what an IPP sentence was in 2011 when his brother, Robert didn't come home after serving 2-and-a-half-year tariff for a threat to kill. The brothers grew up in the Forest of Dean – and Roddy left as soon as he was old enough for a career in the RAF, whilst Robert went down a different path and has been in prison for the last 14 years, serving an indefinite imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence. Today Roddy travels back to the Forest of Dean to meet Robert's friends and former co-workers as he takes on his latest battle to help get his brother released.
To understand why IPPs are finding it so hard to get released by the parole board, Sam meets the lawyer Andrew Sperling and former prison officer Sam Samworth. Samworth, who explains what prison life is like for people serving IPP sentences and how vulnerable they are. Hank Rossi of the Institute of Now and Richard Garside, Director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, discuss the barriers that prisoners face when approaching a parole review. It’s a Catch-22 says Garside, the problems IPPs face get reproduced over time with no obvious way out.
Finally, Sam and Hank travel to Bristol to meet Stafford Lightman, a Professor of Medicine. He describes how the brain responds to stress and how indefinite detention exacerbates its effects for both IPP prisoners and their family members.
Contributors in order of appearance:
Roddy Russell, IPP campaigner and brother of IPP serving prisoner, Robert @1roddyRussell
Andrew Sperling, Lawyer and parole specialist, director of SL5 Legal. @AndrewSperling
Graham Towl, Professor of forensic psychology at Durham University, former Chief Psychologist at the Ministry of Justice @ProfGrahamTowl
Bryn Williams, former employer of Robert Russell
Hank Rossi, The Institute of Now
Andrew Mapps, friend of Robert Russell
Nick Ballard, friend of Robert Russell
Dan Nelmes, friend of Robert Russell
Sam Samworth, former prison officer and Author @NeilSamworth
Clara White, sister of IPP serving prisoner Thomas White
Richard Garside, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies @RichardJGarside
Stafford Lightman, Professor of Medicine, University of Bristol
Production Team:
Reporter: Samantha Asumadu @SamanthaAsumadu
Executive Producer: Melissa FitzGerald @melissafitzg
Producer: Steve Langridge @SMLANGERS
Consultant: Hank Rossi
Artwork: Brightside
An Ear Worm Production for the Institute of Now
Get involved:
➕ Follow Trapped on X, TikTok, Facebook or Instagram @Trapped_Pod
🔎 Search #IPPScandal for more stories.
🗣️ Read more about the IPP campaign: UNGRIPP | www.ungripp.com | @UNGRIPP | IPP Committee In Action @ActionIpp | injustice_of_ipp
✔️ Like, follow and share this podcast to get people listening: knowledge is power and the more who know, the harder it is for injustice to take place.
✍️ Write to your MP and ask them to raise questions about IPPs in Parliament
⬇️ Download the Trapped series episode transcripts here: https://drive.google.com
🎧 Listen to our Radio 4 broadcast on Roddy and Robert's story 'Trapped in the System', here: https://www.bbc.co.uk
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