Burnham 'confident' early release of PC Harper's killers can be halted
Summary
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ordered the justice secretary to stop the early release of the killers of PC Andrew Harper, who died in 2019. The government’s early release scheme aims to reduce overcrowding in prisons but faced criticism for possibly freeing these offenders early.Key Facts
- PC Andrew Harper was killed in 2019 while on duty.
- Two of his killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were jailed for 13 years for manslaughter in 2020.
- They may become eligible for early release under a new government scheme to ease prison overcrowding.
- The early release plan allows some prisoners to be released after serving one third to half of their sentence instead of longer terms.
- Prime Minister Burnham initially said nothing more could be done without risking prison collapse.
- After public pressure, Burnham is now confident their early release can be blocked.
- The government plans to present new rules to Parliament in September.
- Over 1,000 people are currently in prison for manslaughter in England and Wales.
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