PC Andrew Harper’s killers will remain behind bars after a critical intervention by Andy Burnham, but the move has led to warnings that overcrowded prisons will be left “one major event away from disaster”. Announcing a U-turn on the early release scheme after weeks of intense pressure, Burnham said he understood “how strongly people feel about this issue”. The prime minister’s intervention will prevent the early release of offenders guilty of all forms of manslaughter, as well as rapists, child sexual abusers and groomers.
The decision, which affects about 1,400 prisoners, was welcomed by police, victims’ groups and families, including qualified support from Harper’s mother, Debbie Adlam. But critics said the change could undermine progressive prison reforms in England and Wales. They said the steps Burnham outlined to free up space would take longer to bring into force, putting the orderly management of prisons at risk.
Harper was 28 when he sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire in August 2019. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the vehicle and both 17 at the time, were sentenced to 13 years in custody for manslaughter. Speaking to the BBC, which first reported the government U-turn on Sunday, Burnham said he had “heard” Harper’s family.
Nobody would want a position to arise where those guilty of killing a police officer are let out early from prison.” Adlam said she was glad and grateful for the change in the new law but felt “a mixed bag of emotions” and campaigning for the change had been traumatic. Jason Hogg, the chief constable of the force, said: “Today is not about politics. It is about remembering Andrew, recognising the profound impact his death continues to have on those who knew him, the communities he protected and those who serve in policing today.” Burnham’s 11th-hour intervention will limit the number of places that can be freed up in the prison estate, which ministers have repeatedly warned is on the brink of collapse.
Before the early prison release scheme that had been due to start this week, the prime minister said spaces would be made available by deporting foreign prisoners and releasing some inmates serving indefinite sentences. But critics warned neither measure would free up sufficient space in a system that is operating at 98% capacity in England and Wales. Up to 6,000 prisoners were due to have their sentences cut short under the new law, but government figures suggest the number will now be about 4,600.
With the first batch of prisoners due to be released early in October, prison governor representatives said staff would be put under intense pressure. Sources accused the prime minister of making a “politically easy decision” and warned that multiple governments had failed to deport foreign convicts. Burnham admitted the number that could be returned was in the “hundreds”.
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