'His life ended in prison because of that label: IPP'

For nine years, Haydar Jefferies lived under the shadow of his indefinite jail term. He knew he could be hauled back to prison at any time for even the tiniest infraction. “I can’t even spit on the street,” he would tell his brother, fearfully, after he was freed in 2012 after serving six years for an assault under an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) jail term.
Despite the weight of the now-abolished sentence hanging over him, the publican thrived, as he spent almost a decade rebuilding his life and transforming his Oxfordshire pub and B&B into a community hub. “He was a decent man that anybody could be proud of,” his brother said, recalling the “loving and generous” brother who always had a smile on his face.
However, Haydar’s worst fears were realised when, still reeling from the sudden death of his husband Andrew from a heart attack, someone made a serious allegation about him to the police.
He was arrested in the middle of the night in January 2022 and hauled back to prison. Within months, police confirmed they had dropped its investigation into the complaint, which the family say was entirely false. But under the terms of the IPP sentence, which has been described as “psychological torture” by the UN, he could be held indefinitely until the Parole Board deemed him fit for release.
He languished for more than a year as his mental health drastically deteriorated. By 28 February the following year, he was observed naked on all fours in his cell barking like a dog, in the throes of severe depression and suffering acute psychosis. Staff at HMP Coldingley, in Surrey, did not provide him with any medical attention.
The following morning, he tried to take his own life. He died in hospital several days later, aged 50. This month an inquest found that a score of failures contributed to his death, including a gross failure by prison staff to procure him basic medical attention, amounting to neglect.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 02, 2025-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 02, 2025-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden

Student who drugged and raped 10 women gets life
A PhD student suspected of being one of the UK's worst sex offenders has been jailed for life after drugging and raping 10 women in London and China.

South Africa opens inquiry into apartheid-era torture
Black men known as the Cradock Four - were abducted, tortured and killed 40 years ago this month by security forces

'The aid is a death trap'
As the world focuses on Israel's conflict with Iran, hundreds of starving Palestinians are being killed at American-run aid distribution sites in Gaza, write Bel Trew and Richard Hall

'I came here for dream jo The Home Office killed it'
A Brazilian student who worked for a leading art gallery has waited seven months to find out if she can remain in the UK

'As soon as I walked in, it felt warm, homely and safe'
Family fleeing abuse handed keys to reader-backed haven

Labour rebels hit back at threats over benefits vote
Rebel Labour MPs have hit back at Sir Keir Starmer after they were threatened with suspension or blacklisting for voting against his benefit cuts.

Jailed father who set himself alight moved to hospital
Despite schizophrenia and psychosis, Thomas White was serving an abolished IPP term, called 'torture' by the UN

Interest rates hold is a blow to Reeves - but all's not lost
Of all the losers from the Bank of England's decision to hold interest rates - which includes the 591,000 people currently on tracker mortgages, as well as those among the 7.1 million households on fixed rate mortgages who are scouting around for a new deal - the biggest loser of all could be one Rachel Reeves.

Cherki's City debut will leave fans wanting more
At the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, there was an NFL-style edge to Rayan Cherki's first Manchester City appearance.

Commons assisted dying vote: all you need to know
Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who came top in the private members' bill ballot last year, and was therefore given a chance of getting her own law onto the statute book, is \"confident\" that her Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will complete its Commons stages today.