PM Andy Burnham Amends Early Release Scheme to Keep PC Andrew Harper's Killers in Jail

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced changes to an early release scheme designed to ease prison overcrowding, ensuring that those convicted of unlawful killing will remain in prison. This decision means that Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, two of the individuals convicted of the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper, will be excluded from the scheme. The 28 year old officer died in 2019 after being dragged along a road in Berkshire by a vehicle as three teenagers fled a quad bike theft.

Burnham stated that the exclusion will apply to all forms of manslaughter, as well as those convicted of indecent assault and death by dangerous driving. He acknowledged that this decision will result in hundreds more people staying in prison, which will require additional capacity in a system that is more than 97 percent full in England and Wales. To create this space, the Prime Minister said the government will deport hundreds of foreign prisoners and release some inmates serving indefinite sentences.

Specifically, Burnham announced the termination of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, which were used between 2005 and 2012 for offenders posing a significant risk to the public. He noted that some individuals on these sentences have more than served their time. A cross party oversight group will be established to manage risks associated with these releases. Additionally, the government plans to implement powers early next year to deport some foreign criminals immediately after sentencing.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris is currently conducting a review of the scheme, with a report expected in September. While the government is also looking into adapting existing prison space to create more cells, reports indicate these measures may not create significant capacity before the first batch of early releases in October.