Early Release Scheme Under Scrutiny Following PC Harper Killers' Case
Government faces backlash over potential early release for manslaughter convicts amidst prison capacity crisis.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
PC Andrew Harper's killers could be released early from prison under a revised government scheme.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers received 13-year sentences for manslaughter in connection with PC Harper's death. Henry Long, the getaway car driver, received a 16-year sentence for the same charge.
A senior detective leading the investigation claims two of PC Harper's killers could see early release from prison.
The Sentencing Act, passed earlier this year, introduced a scheme designed to reduce the minimum time many offenders spend in prison. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, passengers in the vehicle and both 17 at the time, are reportedly eligible for early release under the new Sentencing Act 2026.
Neither of them showed any remorse during their time in police custody or during their subsequent trial.
Under revised government plans, prisoners convicted of manslaughter may still qualify for early release after serving half their sentence. The Sentencing Act 2026 reportedly includes no exemptions for prisoners convicted of serious crimes, domestic abuse, or terrorism, unlike previous emergency measures under which tens of thousands of prisoners were released in the early months of Starmer’s government.
The Prime Minister has ordered a review of the early release scheme. Further exemptions are reportedly not possible without risking the collapse of the prison system due to capacity issues.
New rules exclude rape, serious child sexual offenses, and grooming from early jail release schemes. Manslaughter convictions, however, remain eligible.
Alex Norris stated approximately 1,000 prisoners will now not be released early due to the revised scheme.
A petition to block the early release of PC Harper's killers has garnered over 650,000 signatures.
Stuart Blaik stated, "I hope the Government takes account of the strength of public feeling on this issue, which has been both clear and widespread."
Blaik also highlighted the lack of remorse from Cole and Bowers, stating, "Neither of them showed any remorse during their time in police custody or during their subsequent trial."
Justice should mean justice and serving the sentence given.
Lissie Harper, PC Harper's widow, claims the government has "punched us in the gut and should be ashamed of themselves."
She further stated, "Hopefully we can make the current Government come to their senses and realise we cannot put people like this back on our streets."
Lissie Harper insists that "Justice should mean justice and serving the sentence given."
The government claims it is trying to avoid running out of prison spaces as soon as October this year. Labour attributes this crisis to the previous Tory government.