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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed in an interview with the BBC that the individuals responsible for the killing of PC Andrew Harper will remain incarcerated, as he unveiled modifications to the early release program intended to alleviate overcrowding in prisons. Burnham emphasized that anyone convicted of unlawful killing, which encompasses all forms of manslaughter, will be excluded from this scheme. This alteration means that two of PC Harper’s killers, who might have previously qualified for early release, are now barred from it.
To create additional prison capacity, Burnham revealed plans to deport foreign prisoners and grant early release to some inmates serving indefinite sentences. These changes come after extensive campaigning by PC Harper’s family and former colleagues who have fought vigorously to prevent the premature release of his killers. PC Harper lost his life in 2019 while responding to a burglary, when he was tragically dragged by a vehicle fleeing the scene. The prospect that two of those convicted, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, could benefit from early release sparked widespread calls for the government to intervene and halt early releases for manslaughter convictions.
Burnham acknowledged that making these changes would result in “hundreds” more prisoners remaining behind bars, thereby increasing the pressure on an already overcrowded system operating at over 97% capacity. One of his key strategies to manage this challenge involves ending the use of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, which were handed down between 2005 and 2012 to offenders deemed a serious risk to the public. These sentences often result in prisoners being held indefinitely until deemed safe for release by the Parole Board, regardless of the time already served. Burnham justified this move by applying “common sense” and addressing his “long-standing concerns” about the fairness of the IPP regime, stating that releasing those who have served their time should take precedence over early release for serious offenders.
In addition, the Prime Minister mentioned upcoming legislation to abolish IPP sentences by the end of this parliamentary term. On the matter of foreign prisoners, Burnham estimated that “hundreds” could be deported. The government plans to introduce powers early next year allowing immediate deportation of certain foreign criminals after sentencing, alongside measures to prevent their return. Although no new prisoner return agreements have been signed with other countries, efforts have begun to increase prison capacity by repurposing space within existing facilities, a process expected to take several months. Despite these initiatives, most of the capacity gains will not be realized before the early release scheme’s initial rollout in October. Burnham also added that prisoners convicted of serious offenses such as indecent assault, death by dangerous driving, historic child sex crimes, and causing or allowing a child’s death will be excluded from early release eligibility. Additionally, new “restriction zones” will be established to better protect domestic violence survivors from offenders released early.
The Sentencing Act 2026, which introduces this early release program, aims to address prison overcrowding by enabling the earlier release of many inmates starting from 1 October. However, the scheme has encountered strong opposition, particularly from those connected to PC Harper. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were sentenced to 13 years in prison for manslaughter in 2020 and would have qualified for early release under the scheme after serving half of their sentences. Henry Long, the getaway car driver, received an extended 16-year sentence for manslaughter and was not eligible for early release. PC Harper’s widow, Lissie Harper, described the potential reduction of sentences as “deplorable,” while his mother, Debbie Adlam, expressed her distress over contradictory reports regarding the killers’ release, calling the situation a “hash.” Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized Burnham and the Labour party for causing further trauma to victims’ families through “constant U-turns.”
When Burnham first assumed office, he paused the implementation of the Sentencing Act changes to conduct a comprehensive review. On 3 August, the government announced exclusions from the early release policy for prisoners convicted of rape, serious child sex offenses, and grooming. Additionally, those serving murder sentences are not eligible for early release. Though Downing Street initially suggested it might be difficult to prevent some manslaughter offenders from benefiting from the scheme, Burnham later expressed confidence in ensuring that PC Harper’s killers would be kept behind bars. This position shifted from his earlier stance that further action risked destabilizing the prison system. The Sentencing Act ultimately introduced several reforms to reduce prison admissions and accelerate inmate releases, but concerns about overcrowding persist. As of 24 August, the prison population in England and Wales stood at 86,843, representing 97.6% of the system’s capacity
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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