A Poisoned Chalice

An update on Roddy and Rob’s story.

First, we must pass on some heartbreaking news about Josh McRae, whose story we featured in Trapped Episode 16. Josh tragically died at HMP Long Lartin, aged 34 in September 2024. An inquest into the cause of his death is ongoing. Rest in peace, Josh McRae.

More than a year since we last heard from him, we catch up with Roddy Russell whose brother Robert, is still serving an IPP sentence, handed down in 2009.  Roddy travels to Westminster in June 2025 to meet Lord Tony Woodley, whose Private Member’s Bill advocating resentencing for IPP prisoners is on the verge of reaching the ‘Committee stage’, prompting a debate in the House of Lords. Roddy wants to learn more about Lord Woodley's Private Member’s Bill and the prospect of the Bill making any significant changes for those serving IPP sentences.

As the IPP debate commences in the House of Lords on the 4th July 2025, Roddy meets the author and former Prison Chaplain, David Kirk Beedon whose book, ‘Pastoral Care for the Incarcerated: Hope Deferred, Humanity Diminished?’ focuses on the experiences of those serving indeterminate sentences. David provides Roddy with an insight into the inner workings of prison and the Ministry of Justice.

In the immediate aftermath of the IPP debate, we hear from Andrew Morris, Richard Garside and Baroness Fox, who all respond strongly to the Prison Minister, Lord James Timpson's closing speech. With his Private Member’s Bill for resentencing IPP prisoners in limbo, Lord Woodley leaves Roddy with words of encouragement and a rallying call: “we don’t give up”.

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For more info about the IPP campaign visit UNGRIPP | www.ungripp.com | @UNGRIPP | IPP Committee In Action @ActionIpp 

Contributors in order of appearance:

Lord Tony Woodley

Roddy Russell, brother of IPP serving prisoner Robert Russell

David Kirk Beedon, author and former Prison Chaplain

‘Pastoral Care for the Incarcerated: Hope deferred, humanity diminished?’ (Palgrave-Macmillan 2022)

Andrew Morris, former IPP prisoner

Richard Garside, The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies

Baroness Claire Fox

Voices in Archive:

Lord Tony Woodley

Lord Edward Garnier

Lord Michael Hastings

Baroness Claire Fox

Lord James Timpson, Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation

Production Credits:

Reporter: Roddy Russell | @1roddyRussell

Executive Producer: Melissa FitzGerald | @Melissafitzg

Producer: Steve Langridge | @SMLANGERS

Consultant: Hank Rossi

An Ear Worm Production for the Institute of Now

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