‘I just can’t do it anymore’: Prisoner wrote note blaming ‘cruel’ indefinite jail term before he was found dead

A prisoner sentenced to indefinite imprisonment, which was revoked, committed suicide after writing a note denouncing the “cruel” open-ended sentence.

Steven McBride’s family have called for action to help others still serving public protection (IPP) sentences after the inquest revealed uncertainty about his sentence was a factor in Steven McBride’s death.

Ipswich Coroner’s Court heard the much-loved uncle repeatedly self-harmed after his mental health broke down in prison.

The aspiring music producer, who is partially sighted and recorded as blind, was sentenced to a minimum of two years and 91 days IPP for a stabbing in 2007.

He was found unresponsive in his cell at HMP Warren Hill in Suffolk in September 2024, aged 40, almost 17 years after his controversial prison sentence. He was denied parole months ago.

His grieving sister Hayley Prince said that from the moment he was given the IPP sentence he “felt like he was caught in something he couldn’t escape”.

“He spent years in and out of jail, being called back again and again,” he said. “Every time it seemed like there was a way forward, something was pulling it back.” He added that being denied parole six months before his death “broke” him.

The inquest jury heard evidence of a written message torn from a notebook in his cell. Although the original has not been found and it is not known when it was written, the indentations left on the page below reveal his desperation.

It was seen that the indentations read “I am writing this because I cannot make this sentence anymore.” “IPP is cruel and solely responsible for my death. No one understands my point of view. I’m tired of not being listened to.

“This was torture at the highest level. Don’t get me wrong, I deserved prison time for what I did, but that was almost 19 years ago. I can’t do this anymore.”

Ms Prince, 40, said: Independent: “Knowing that he was struggling like that was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to read in my life.”

IPP prison sentences were abolished in 2012, but not retroactively; Thousands remained imprisoned without a release date or indefinitely in the vicious cycle of recall, often for minor breaches of strict licensing conditions.

Open-ended sentences have been linked to 96 suicides in prison and have been described as “psychological torture” by the UN. But successive governments have refused to resent those still serving prison sentences.

Ms Prince described Mr McBride as her “best friend”. They grew up with a strong bond after their father died by suicide when Stephen was only one year old. During his teenage years, he became increasingly protective as he was bullied for his partial vision.

Despite having what she described as a traumatic childhood, she said Mr McBride was “very funny” and loved house music and had hopes of becoming a music producer.

But he developed a difficult relationship with alcohol and got into trouble with the law. His mother died while on remand in prison for a violent assault which later led to him being given an IPP.

He served for nearly 10 years before being released for the first time, but was recalled two weeks later for being drunk. He was released again in January 2018, but was recalled a year later after being charged with actual bodily harm and remained in prison until his death.

“I’m not saying my brother doesn’t deserve a long sentence,” Ms. Prince added. “He 100 percent deserved a long sentence, but not an inhumane and unjust sentence.”

He had attempted suicide several times in the months before his death and had been monitored repeatedly as part of assessment, custodial care and teamwork procedures. However, monitoring was stopped five days before his death.

On the morning of September 2, he was found unresponsive when a prison officer unlocked his cell at 7:45 a.m. It is estimated that he died 1-12 hours ago.

In a moving tribute read to the court, Ms Prince added: “Steven wasn’t perfect. He had flaws, struggles and moments he probably wished he could change. But none of that changes who he was to me. He was my brother. He was my best friend. And he was deeply, truly loved.”

He called for better monitoring processes for high-risk inmates and resentencing of the almost 2,400 inmates still serving IPP sentences.

“Give them their lives back,” he said Independent. “It’s been repealed. You can’t continue to punish people for a penalty that’s been repealed. Why is it still going on?”

Hodge Jones & Allen partner Claire Brigham, who represented Mr McBride’s family at the inquest, said the IPP sentence was a “major factor” in his death.

“I think this is one of the clearest cases I’ve seen at this point,” he said. Independent. “There are many references throughout the record that talk about the IPP sentence, ordeal and progress.”

As a result, the jury found that Mr. McBride felt “trapped, hopeless and frustrated” during his prison sentence and was denied multiple plans for advancement due to his emotional instability and substance abuse.

They said this left him “demotivated and hopeless” and added: “Mr McBride’s IPP sentence, denial of parole, uncertainty regarding the progression of his sentence and complex health issues all had a significant impact on his actions on 2 September 2024.”

He died following an act of self-harm, although the jury was unsure whether he intended to die.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “It is true that IPP sentences have been lifted and we have already taken action to support these offenders to move on with their lives.

“While the protection of the public is our number one priority, we are working with organizations and campaign groups to support those still serving these sentences, including access to mental health support and rehabilitation programmes.”

If you are experiencing distressed emotions or having difficulty coping, you can talk or email the Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI). jo@samaritans.orgor visit Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are a US resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call or text 988 or visit: 988lifeline.org To access online chat on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis helpline available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country you can go www.befrienders.org To find a helpline near you