PC Andrew Harper's Killers Still Eligible for Early Release Amidst Prison Overcrowding Scheme
Justice Secretary defends early release plan to ease prison capacity, while victims' families and Shadow Crime Minister condemn the decision as 'utter betrayal'.
Sarah Connor
The killers of PC Andrew Harper remain scheduled for early release despite widespread condemnation.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris detailed the early release scheme, a measure shifted from September to October, explicitly designed to prevent prison overcrowding.
The Government intends to exclude those serving sentences for rape, serious child sexual offenses, and grooming from this early release program.
However, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole, sentenced to 13 years in 2020 for manslaughter in the killing of PC Andrew Harper, remain slated for early release.
Henry Long, the vehicle's driver in the same case, received a 16-year sentence.
Lissie Harper, PC Andrew Harper's widow, declared, "The level of disrespect the Government are showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt."
This is disgusting. I am beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear that Andrew’s killers are soon to be free to roam the streets.
She further stated, "This is disgusting. I am beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear that Andrew’s killers are soon to be free to roam the streets."
Shadow Crime Minister Matt Vickers condemned the decision to release PC Andrew Harper's killers early as "disgraceful" and "disgusting."
Vickers also asserted it is "utterly unacceptable" that individuals who have committed such "heinous crimes" are still being considered for early release.
Vickers claimed Lissie Harper campaigned relentlessly for justice for Andrew Harper, only for this Government to reject it.
The Sentencing Act, enacted earlier this year, reduced the minimum time many offenders spend in prison.
The Prime Minister stated the prison system is nearing capacity, warning that further exclusions could lead to its collapse.
The Government plans to construct 14,000 new prison places by 2031 to address long-term capacity issues.
The Prison Governors' Association (PGA) criticized the late policy changes surrounding the scheme.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris apologized to PC Andrew Harper's family for the early release of Cole and Bowers.
Lissie Harper characterized the Prime Minister's decision as "an utter betrayal" and "an affront to justice."
Andrew deserves better than this and so do we.
Debbie Adlam, a family member, stated, "Andrew deserves better than this and so do we."
Andy Burnham confirmed that grooming gang rapists will not be released before their sentence concludes.
Criminals, including burglars and thieves, will reportedly be considered for release a third of the way through their sentences.
Bowers and Cole are understood to be eligible for early release under the new government scheme, despite the planned exclusions for other serious offenses.