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2 months ago
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The mother of a man locked up for 17 years for just stealing a bike because of an old law has said prison has 'totally destroyed him'.
Wayne Bell was locked up for robbery when he was 17 and remains behind bars aged 34, due to a sentence of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) - which was abolished by the courts.
His family said other prisoners targeted him as they knew he would get additional prison time for any fights.
But after being repeatedly turned down for release, he suffered a mental breakdown and has now cut off contact with his family.
His family, who live in Manchester, do not even know which prison he is in or even if he is still alive as the Ministry of Justice refuses to will tell them.
The mother of a Wayne Bell (far right) who has been locked up for 17 years has said prison has 'totally destroyed him'. Pictured Carl (middle) and Diane Bell (right)
Wayne Bell was locked up for robbery when he was 17 and remains behind bars aged 34, due to a sentence of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) - which was abolished by the courts
His mother Diane Bell (right), 59, told Mailonline: 'I am in despair at what has happened to my son. 'Prison has totally destroyed him and us as a family'
They believe believe he is in high security HMP Gartree in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, after a tip-off from a source.
What is an IPP sentence?
The indeterminate sentence of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) was introduced in England and Wales by Home Secretary, David Blunkett in 2005.
The new sentence - introduced as part of the Blair government's drive to be 'tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime' - was intended for people considered 'dangerous' but whose offence did not merit a life sentence.
Offenders were set a minimum term (tariff) which they had to spend in prison. After they had completed their tariff they could apply to the Parole Board for release, with the requirement of proving they were no longer a threat to the public.
If they were released, they would remain on licence, with the potential of being returned to custody. The sentences were abolished in 2012, but nearly 3,000 people remain in prison on them with no idea when they will be released.
In 2022, a Justice Committee report found they were 'irredeemably flawed'. While release under an IPP is based on being able to prove you have been successfully rehabilitated, the Committee found that inadequate provision of support services inside and outside of prison has led to a 'recall merry-go-round'.
It also found that IPP sentences cause acute harm to those subject to them, with the prospect of serving a sentence without an end date causing higher levels of self-harm as well as a lack of trust in the system that is meant to rehabilitate them.
His mother Diane Bell, 59, told Mailonline: 'I am in despair at what has happened to my son.
'Prison has totally destroyed him and us as a family.
'He went into prison as a naughty young boy but now has serious mental health problems because of what has happened to him in prison.
'Other prisoners targeted him as they knew if he retaliated and got into fights he would get more prison time because of IPP.
'But he despaired when he didn't get out and had a mental breakdown.
'He is basically a schizophrenic and have cut off contact with us.
'The last time I spoke to him, I had a phone call with him because he was trying to kill himself.
'The Ministry of Justice are so cold and cruel that they won't even tell us which prison he is in or even if he is still alive.
'They claim it is all down to data protection but that is all nonsense due to his mental health.
'I am in utter despair that they won't tell me if he is OK.
'I have nightmares that he is dead or that the prison service are ringing me to tell me he is dead.'
The care worker added: 'I am devastated by this. My heart has broken so many times.
'I cry when I think of what has happened to him and what is happening to him now in prison.
'I just want him home. Labour has said they want to solve the prison crisis.
'Kier Starmer's government need to do the right thing and release Wayne.
'I would say to him: 'Please bring my son home'.
'But I am not confident that things will change – it is like hitting your head against a brick wall.
'The Ministry of Justice need to show some compassion but they haven't.
'But I think this is all about money. They know he is due for a big pay out for the way he has been treated if he ever gets released into the community.
'I can't believe all this happened.'
Around 17 years ago, Bell punched a man and stole his bike in Manchester. He was sentenced in 2007 and was among one of the first convicts to be handed a new type of sentence
His father's last wish as he fought a losing battle with cancer was to speak to Bell one last time - but this went unfulfilled as he died in April 2020
When he was a teenager, Bell played the trumpet and wanted to become a mechanic. But he started getting into trouble at school and ended up being expelled. Pictured as a child
Around 17 years ago, Bell punched a man and stole his bike in Manchester.
He was sentenced in 2007 and was among one of the first convicts to be handed a new type of sentence.
Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences - introduced in 2005 - was later abolished for being 'unjust'.
Those in receipt of them were handed minimum terms but after their few years in prison were up, they had to convince the Parole Board they were safe enough to be released back into the community.
However, they weren't given access to rehabilitation courses to do so.
When he was a teenager, Bell played the trumpet and wanted to become a mechanic. But he started getting into trouble at school and ended up being expelled.
At 17, Bell was convicted at Manchester Crown Court and told he would serve four years before the Parole Board would consider releasing him but successive hearings deemed he couldn't be managed safely.
So as time went on he lost hope of ever being released and started getting in fights behind bars. With each brawl, his chances of persuading the board diminished even further.
His father's last wish as he fought a losing battle with cancer was to speak to Bell one last time - but this went unfulfilled as he died in April 2020.
Former home secretary David Blunkett has 'expressed regret' that the sentences, brought in while he was in office, have led to 'injustices'.
But Mrs Bell said: 'I can't even bear to read Blunkett's name without getting angry.
'Labour brought in IPP – now they need to right their many wrongs.'
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