What does the unlimited jail sentence given to Baby P’s mother mean? A minimum of five years has caused an outcry from the British public, but have they really understood the sentence? If she had received the maximum prison sentence for the charge of causing or allowing her son’s death was 14 years. But if the judge had given her a conventional sentence of this nature she would have been automatically released after seven years and kept under supervision for the remaining seven years.
With this minimum sentence she will serve her five years. Then the Parole Board will see her case, and if the Board refuses to release her, she will remain in prison for another two years before the Parole Board reviews her case again. If still refused, another two years. And so on.
There can be no doubt that baby P’s mother has some severe mental issues. A traumatic childhood was described in court, but the judge described her as manipulative, self-centred and calculating. I doubt we’ll ever know why she allowed this to happen, what kind of spell her boyfriend had on her to not make her act in defense of her defenseless child. This case leaves so many of us with a sense of disbelief and immense sadness. The only thing coming out of this that can be seen as good, is the review of children’s services in Britain. Not too little, but way too late.
