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'.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
The killers of PC Andrew Harper remain scheduled for early release despite widespread condemnation.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris explained the early release scheme is designed to prevent prison overcrowding.
Lissie Harper stated, 'The level of disrespect the Government are showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt.'
The Government plans to exclude those serving sentences for rape, serious child sexual offences, and grooming from the early release scheme.
The level of disrespect the Government are showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt.
However, Shadow Crime Minister Matt Vickers calls the decision to release PC Andrew Harper's killers early 'disgraceful' and 'disgusting.'
Vickers also finds it 'utterly unacceptable' that individuals who have committed such 'heinous crimes' are still being considered for early release.
He further states that Lissie Harper campaigned tirelessly for justice for Andrew Harper, only for the current Government to reject it.
The early release scheme, initially slated for September, has been delayed until October.
The Sentencing Act, passed by Sir Keir Starmer's government earlier this year, was designed to ease pressure on prisons; it allows some offenders to spend less time in prison before release, with some prisoners potentially being let out after serving a third of their sentence, while those who would previously have served two-thirds will instead be released after half their sentence.
The Government plans to build 14,000 new prison places by 2031 to address long-term capacity issues.
The Prison Governors' Association (PGA) has criticised the late policy changes surrounding the scheme.
Lissie Harper calls the Prime Minister's decision 'an utter betrayal' that she 'will not be able to forgive or forget.'
An utter betrayal that she will not be able to forgive or forget.
Andy Burnham has confirmed that grooming gang rapists will not be released before the end of their sentence; yet, the eligibility of Bowers and Cole under the new scheme raises questions about its scope.