Downing Street Confirms Inability to Block Early Release of PC Harper's Killers
Emergency prison measures allow Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers to be freed in October, sparking public outcry and government dilemma.
Callum Smith
Downing Street has confirmed it cannot prevent the early release of PC Andrew Harper's killers.
Henry Long, the driver in PC Andrew Harper's death, received a 16-year sentence and remains ineligible for early release. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, sentenced to 13 years in 2020 for Harper's manslaughter, remain eligible for early release this October.
More than 880,000 people have signed a petition demanding Cole and Bowers remain incarcerated. This amplifies criticism of the Labour Government's early release prison scheme.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham reportedly reviewed the policy following significant public outcry. A government source indicated he is prepared to explore every option to block their early release.
I think you’ve seen from the Prime Minister’s words that he’s far from accepting the situation and as he wrote last week he wants to go even further.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman stated, "I think you’ve seen from the Prime Minister’s words that he’s far from accepting the situation and as he wrote last week he wants to go even further."
The spokesman added, "He’s pushed hard on what more we could do and his focus now is on fixing the prison system long term to avoid a repeat of this prison crisis so that it never happens again."
Ministers, however, have been advised that excluding specific manslaughter offenders risks legal challenge. This position complicates any attempt to prevent the early release of Cole and Bowers.
Ministry of Justice officials state that prisons could run out of places in November if the early release scheme is abandoned. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said this scenario would put public safety at untold risk.
Approximately 5,000 offenders are expected to be released early under these emergency measures. These provisions were part of the Sentencing Act passed earlier this year to prevent prison collapse.
Prison Service officials claim that altering the terms of the prisoners’ early release scheme to keep PC Andrew Harper’s killers behind bars would necessitate another spate of early releases before the next general election.
A Whitehall source echoed this sentiment, suggesting that if manslaughter cases are carved out, another early release scheme will be necessary before the general election.
Danny Shaw indicated that The Government completely mishandled the creation and execution of their early release prison scheme. Clear exclusions for dangerous criminals should have been in place from the start.
Danny Shaw claims the Government completely mishandled the creation and execution of their early release prison scheme. He asserts that clear exclusions for dangerous criminals should have been in place from the start.
Shaw also claims Prime Minister Andy Burnham is now 'paying the price' for 'inheriting the mess' of the early release legislation. This comes despite the Prime Minister's spokesperson stating that abandoning the scheme would lead to prisons running out of space and police ceasing arrests.
Those freed will reportedly face tougher probation conditions. These include electronic monitoring, random drug testing, and possible bans from driving, pubs, and events.