- The killers of PC Andrew Harper, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter and may be eligible for early release halfway through their sentences under the new Sentencing Act.
- Andy Burnham said he will review an early prisoner release policy due in autumn, following anger that two killers of PC Andrew Harper could be freed early.
- The driver Henry Long, who received a 16-year sentence, will not be eligible for early release.
- PC Harper's mother Debbie Adlam said it felt "like a slap in the face" and an insult, and she received a letter from the MoJ confirming possible sentence reduction.
- The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed that Cole and Bowers may be released halfway, and a spokesperson expressed sympathy for the family.
- The Sentencing Act, passed by Sir Keir Starmer's government earlier this year, is designed to ease prison overcrowding and reduce the point of release, allowing some prisoners to serve less time.
- The government insists the Act will not allow early release for the most dangerous offenders, including those on life sentences, but has not explicitly exempted killers, rapists, or paedophiles.
- Burnham acknowledged "pressure on prisons places" and a past failure to invest, and said he will look into every part of the policy with the justice secretary.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's commitment to review the early prisoner release scheme comes amid public outcry over the potential early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were sentenced to 13 years for the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper.12345
"It makes me feel sick. Andrew's life doesn't get to come back. It feels like a slap in the face and an insult," said Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, expressing her anguish over the possibility of their early release.789
The new Sentencing Act, effective this September, allows for some offenders to be released after serving just half of their sentences, a change that could affect around 6,000 criminals.1213
Burnham stated, "I want to assure myself that everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds, and I can give that assurance that every single part of this I will look into with the Justice Secretary." The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Cole and Bowers might be eligible for early release, while the driver, Henry Long, who received a 16-year sentence, will not qualify.6
The Police Federation has condemned the policy, with Deputy national chairman Brian Booth stating, "Police officers from across the country stood side by side to honour Andrew Harper at his funeral. They and every serving officer will be utterly sickened at the prospect of Bowers and Cole being back on the streets so soon." Critics, including Conservative shadow justice minister Nick Timothy, have labeled the early release scheme as catastrophic, emphasizing the fear it instills in victims.
"If we ran out of prison spaces, courts couldn't sentence and the police wouldn't have been able to arrest," said Cabinet minister Heidi Alexander, defending the necessity of the scheme.
Burnham's review aims to address these concerns and ensure that the justice system remains fair and just for victims and offenders alike.
“PC Harper's mother Debbie Adlam said the potential early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers felt 'like a slap in the face'. The Police Federation condemned the policy as 'disgusting', while cabinet minister Heidi Alexander argued it was needed to avoid justice system collapse.”
BBC
