The family of a Bury dad who was given a controversial prison sentence said a delay over a decision about his future is "cruel" as Christmas approaches.  

Thomas White was given an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence in 2012 for robbing a mobile phone after a string of petty crimes. 

He was ordered to serve a minimum of two years, only a few months before IPPs were abolished.

Now aged 39, the dad-of-one has now been in jail for more than 10 years.

His mental health has taken a huge blow, leaving him with psychosis, his son Kayden, 13, without a dad, and the family "no hope". 

Two years ago Kayden wrote a letter to the government asking for his dad  to be released.

Thomas' sister Clara White, wo lives in Greenmount, said he is now more suited to an “outside hospital".  

Read more: Bury man may be released after IPP sentences deemed 'flawed'

Despite fears for his mental health, Thomas and his family said they were given hope when the government announced a resentencing decision would be made at the end of November.  

Bury Times: Clara with mum Margret and brother, Thomas Clara with mum Margret and brother, Thomas (Image: Public)

Although the Justice Select Committee gave evidence and ruled the IPP as "irredeemably flawed", an official decision has been delayed by an estimated two weeks. 

Clara, 40, said: “On November 28, the day we had been told was ‘decision day’, my brother rang me from prison. 

“He and three other IPP-sentenced prisoners crowded around the phone first thing in the morning to ask me what decision has been made.  

“I had to sit there and tell them nothing has happened, and you could feel them losing hope.”  

Although IPPs were abolished shortly after Thomas was sentenced, thousands of people remain in custody under such sentences.

The Justice Select Committee said this was due to inadequate provision of support services inside and outside of prison.

They called it a "recall merry-go-round" as almost half of the prisoners serving an IPP sentence had been released previously, causing a "human traffic jam". 

Clara said: “It has just been the 10th anniversary of the IPP abolishment but my brother is still in prison and has never been released. 

“Thomas shouldn’t be in prison anymore, he should be put in a hospital that can meet his needs and I just don’t know how we're going to cope with this. 

“Christmas is already hard but to make families wait again when we though we would know before December is just cruel.” 

After looking towards the end of November for a decision, the family of Thomas have said they are worried about what could happen next and when a decision will be reached. 

Margret White, mum of Clara and Thomas, said: “They've had 10 years...how much more time do they need.  

“Speaking as a mother how much more heartache must we endure of this, one minute we are full of hope then the next minute we are put back waiting again.  

“Please, it's coming up to Christmas we just want to start a new year knowing when our loved ones can come home.”  

Having worked closely with Clara, Bury North MP James Daly, who is a member of the Justice Select, says he has hope for Thomas.  

He said: “While it is disappointing the response has been delayed, it is a short postponement.  

“I have been raising this issue with the Lord Chancellor in both the Justice Committee and in the House of Commons recently and continue to have faith the government will recognise the serious implications for the remaining IPP prisoners in their response.  

“The report from the Justice Committee was an incredibly important step for the families and I hope to see the recommendations accepted.”