Burnham ‘personally intervened’ over possible early prison release of grooming gang perpetrators
Summary
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has taken personal steps to review early prison releases for men convicted of crimes related to grooming gangs after concerns that some offenders might be freed under new rules. About 5,000 prisoners are expected to be released early in England and Wales due to a change aimed at reducing overcrowding in jails, but some exclusions may not cover all grooming gang convictions.Key Facts
- The government is urgently checking if any grooming gang offenders could still be released early under new sentencing changes.
- Prime Minister Burnham personally asked the Ministry of Justice to review these cases carefully.
- Early release rules aim to free around 5,000 prisoners but exclude grooming gang members, rapists, and serious child sex offenders.
- Some men convicted before 2003 faced charges such as indecent assault, which may not be excluded from the early release plan.
- Labour blames the previous Conservative government for prison overcrowding by increasing sentences without building enough prisons.
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized the government for not clearly defining which offenses qualify for early release.
- The scheme may also allow early release for two men convicted of manslaughter in the killing of police officer Andrew Harper, which has raised concern.
- The Thames Valley police chief is considering legal action against the early release plan related to Andrew Harper’s killers.
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