Burnham Orders Review Of Prisoner Early Release Scheme

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ordered a review of a prisoner release scheme after reports emerged that two men convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper could be freed early. According to the BBC, the Sentencing Act policy, scheduled to begin in September, would make thousands of offenders in England and Wales eligible for early release to ease prison overcrowding.

The development follows a public intervention by Lissie Harper, the widow of the officer, who described the prospect of the killers’ early release as deplorable. According to the Daily Mail, Mrs. Harper accused politicians of making decisions from behind a desk that result in lasting consequences for victims’ families.

Burnham stated during a visit to Bath that he will look at the policy in detail before it proceeds further, though he noted he cannot say if the policy will be changed completely. He acknowledged that a lack of previous investment in the prison system created an unacceptable situation regarding prison capacity, according to the BBC.

The Ministry of Justice has not confirmed reports that prison governors were told to pause the scheme, but a source told the Daily Mail that officials were summoned to a meeting with the Prison and Probation Service to discuss the matter.

Sentencing and Eligibility for PC Andrew Harper’s Killers

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were sentenced to 13 years in custody for manslaughter in 2020 following a trial at the Old Bailey. According to the BBC and Daily Mail, both men could be released early under the new Sentencing Act. They were passengers in a vehicle during the 2019 incident that killed PC Harper.

The driver of the vehicle, Henry Long, was sentenced to 16 years for manslaughter. Burnham confirmed that Long, whom he described as the main perpetrator, would not be eligible for early release, according to the BBC.

PC Harper, 28, died in 2019 after being dragged for more than a mile behind a getaway car while attempting to stop teenagers from stealing a quad bike. According to the Daily Mail, the officer had decided to respond to one final call before starting a honeymoon with his wife, whom he had married four weeks prior.

Impact on Victims and Justice Policy

Lissie Harper previously campaigned for Harper's Law, which established mandatory life sentences for those who kill emergency workers in the line of duty. In a statement reported by the Daily Mail, she said the political support that led to that law now feels forgotten.

It is deplorable to me that we have reached a point where releasing prisoners early is even considered acceptable. We speak of justice, accountability and standing with victims, yet decisions like this do the opposite.

Lissie Harper, via Daily Mail

Mrs. Harper argued that early release tells victims their suffering matters less and signals to offenders that court-mandated punishments are negotiable. According to the Times, victims have been left in unnecessary distress by what she described as an early release rollercoaster.

Government Response and Prison Overcrowding

The Sentencing Act was introduced by the government of Sir Keir Starmer to address critical space shortages in the prison estate. According to the BBC, tens of thousands of inmates have been released since 2024 as successive governments have used early release to manage overcrowding.

The Prime Minister also addressed the conduct of Cabinet ministers Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood, who were reportedly caught laughing about the release scheme shortly before the news regarding PC Harper’s killers became public. Burnham stated that such behavior was not acceptable, and the BBC reported that Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has since apologized for his comments.

Burnham has pledged to work with the justice secretary to ensure every part of the policy is reviewed. He described the crime that killed PC Harper as appalling, according to the BBC.