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Two prison staff members recently informed the BBC that prison governors were instructed to halt preparations for the rollout of the Sentencing Act approximately two weeks ago. However, the government insists that there has been no formal decision to postpone the act’s implementation.
Debbie Adlam, mother of PC Andrew Harper, expressed that the early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers—two passengers in the getaway vehicle responsible for her son’s death—caught her family by surprise. Both Cole and Bowers were 17 when they were convicted of manslaughter and received 13-year sentences, but under the new legislation, they could be eligible for release after serving six years. The driver, Henry Long, who was 18 at the time and sentenced to 16 years, does not qualify for early release.
Adlam conveyed her frustration, stating on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, “It just feels like another let down for Andrew really, when you look at the horrific way he was killed, we have to live with that.” She added, “The feeling that Andrew hasn’t been given proper justice, it is very personal obviously… every victim will be feeling the same.”
The Sentencing Act aims to address the prison overcrowding crisis permanently, following an emergency scheme introduced by the Labour government in 2024. This earlier measure led to the early release of tens of thousands of inmates. Unlike its predecessor, the new act does not exclude prisoners convicted of serious offenses such as domestic abuse or terrorism from early release eligibility. Prime Minister Andy Burnham acknowledged the challenges, admitting on Wednesday that while he couldn’t promise a complete reconsideration of the policy, he would “look at it in detail before we go further forward.” He also highlighted the pressures caused by insufficient investment in the prison system, which has created an “unacceptable situation.”
Adlam urged Burnham to take a broader view on justice, saying, “As a country you cannot have a justice system that works that way, just because it’s full doesn’t mean it’s good enough to let people go, you need to find ways and I’d like to know what’s being considered.” She further called for “a proper overhaul” of the justice system, which she believes has been inadequate for some time.
Regarding the future of the scheme, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds told the BBC that Burnham and the Justice Secretary will provide clarity in the coming weeks. She reminded listeners that when the current government took office in 2024, the prison system was “on the brink of collapse, with fewer than 100 prison places available,” a situation that offers little consolation to victims.
Separately, a woman who endured rape and sexual abuse over four years beginning at age 11 called on Burnham to prevent the early release of her attacker after receiving a notice from the Ministry of Justice. Speaking under the pseudonym Katy, she emphasized to BBC Newsnight that “victims are the people that suffer.” The abuser, sentenced to 18 years in 2019, could be freed this September. Katy directly appealed to the Prime Minister: “Andy, child abusers, sex offenders should not be being released early… we need your support to stop this.”
Domestic Abuse Commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs also raised concerns about the lack of promised victim support measures ahead of the act’s arrival. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she noted that many victims “won’t know who to turn to, who to call,” especially those whose offenders do not face long sentences. Jacobs stressed that although the government had committed to creating a helpline for victims to voice concerns and assist with risk management, such a service remains unavailable as the September implementation date approaches.
This push for reform comes amid a decline in violent crime, which recently hit its lowest level in more than two decades. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed homicides dropped by 7% to the lowest figure since 2006, largely driven by a 14% reduction in knife-related deaths. In the year ending March 2026, an estimated 989,000 incidents of violence occurred among people aged 16 and over, a decrease of 33% compared to ten years earlier. However, the survey also noted some exceptions to the trend, such as increases in reports of fraud and anti-social behavior
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