Vocapedia > UK > Justice > Judge > Sentencing

Indeterminate sentence

Tommy Nicol was the 67th man to have killed himself

while serving an indeterminate sentence.

Illustration: Yann Kebbi

The Guardian

Tommy Nicol was kind and friendly – a beloved brother.

Why did he die in prison on a ‘99-year’ sentence?

His sister says

the only person he ever presented a serious threat to was himself,

yet he was given an indeterminate sentence for stealing a car.

The psychological torture was impossible to endure

G

Wed 24 Apr 2024    06.00 CEST

Last modified on Wed 24 Apr 2024    11.56 CEST

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/apr/24/
tommy-nicol-kind-friendly-beloved-brother-died-prison-99-year-sentence

indeterminate sentence / imprisonment for public protection    IPP

indeterminate sentence / a ‘99-year’ sentence

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/series/
the-ipp-scandal

https://www.theguardian.com/law/
criminal-justice

https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2024/jun/21/
as-a-teenager-john-was-jailed-for-assaulting-someone-and-stealing-their-bike-that-was-17-years-ago-
will-he-ever-be-released-podcast - Guardian podcast

https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2024/may/08/
the-london-bridge-hero-who-could-go-to-prison-for-99-years-
podcast - Guardian podcast

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/may/08/
marc-conway-risked-his-life-to-stop-the-london-bridge-terror-attack-
why-did-he-fear-being-sent-to-prison-for-it

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/may/05/
why-are-3000-people-still-trapped-in-jail--
under-a-scheme-abolished-12-years-ago-
ipp-scandal

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/may/02/
nearly-3000-people-are-languishing-in-jail-unfairly-
we-must-set-them-free

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/may/01/
martin-myers-tried-and-failed-to-steal-a-cigarette-
why-has-he-spent-18-years-in-prison-for-it

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/26/
the-guardian-view-on-indeterminate-sentences-
the-legacy-of-a-bad-law-lingers-on

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/apr/24/
tommy-nicol-kind-friendly-beloved-brother-died-prison-
99-year-sentence

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/10/
family-ipp-prisoner-tommy-nicol-indeterminate-sentence

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/oct/31/
prisoners-left-in-limbo-parole

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/aug/01/
ukcrime.prisonsandprobation1

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/jul/31/
prisonsandprobation.ukcrime

prisoners on indeterminate sentences

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/oct/31/
prisoners-left-in-limbo-parole

imprisonment for public protection sentences > prisoners on IPPs >

die by suicide in custody

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/26/
the-guardian-view-on-indeterminate-sentences-
the-legacy-of-a-bad-law-lingers-on

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