The widow of PC Andrew Harper has called proposals to allow some prisoners out early “deplorable” after reports that two of the men convicted over her husband’s death could be released sooner than expected. Lissie Harper warned politicians were making decisions “from behind a desk” with lasting consequences for victims’ families.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has since said he will review the Sentencing Act policy, due to take effect in September, which would make thousands of offenders in England and Wales eligible for earlier release. Burnham said he could not promise to overturn the policy entirely but would examine it in detail with the justice secretary before it proceeds. He acknowledged long‑running pressure on prison places and criticised past underinvestment in the prison estate.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were given 13‑year sentences for manslaughter in the case that led to PC Harper being dragged to his death, could be affected by the changes. The driver, Henry Long, who received a 16‑year term, would not be eligible under the new rules, Burnham said.
Lissie Harper described the prospect of early release as an affront after years of rebuilding her life. “It has taken me years to rebuild a life that was torn apart in a matter of moments,” she said, adding that decisions like this contradict talk of justice and accountability.
The Sentencing Act was introduced by the new government to ease overcrowding in prisons. Since 2024, tens of thousands of inmates have been released early to create space. The legislation shifts the point of automatic release: some prisoners could be released after serving a third of their sentence, and others who previously left after two‑thirds would now leave after half their term. The Act also directs courts to avoid short custodial sentences under a year except in exceptional circumstances.
Victim Support’s chief executive, Katie Kempen, welcomed the PM’s review and urged urgent fixes to ensure victims can find out whether an offender might be eligible for early release. Conservative shadow justice minister Nick Timothy called the scheme “catastrophic,” arguing victims should not have to live in fear while reviews are carried out.
Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg said he had written to ministers to express the force’s view that releasing Cole and Bowers early would be wrong. Prison staff have warned that reversing the planned early releases could be “highly problematic”; many were preparing to free thousands of prisoners this autumn to free up cells for new sentences. One senior member of staff warned that with little spare capacity, the system needs the additional space to avoid a repeat of the difficulties seen in 2024.
Prison numbers in England and Wales have risen sharply since the 1990s, doubling between 1992 and 2012, and recent shortages prompted the government to free more than 5,000 inmates earlier than their potential release dates to relieve pressure. There are currently roughly 3,000 vacant prison spaces — more than at the point two years ago when jails were close to capacity — but the Sentencing Act was intended to create additional headroom and reduce staff overstretch.
Burnham also said it was unacceptable to make light of early‑release issues; he welcomed an apology from Defence Secretary Wes Streeting after remarks captured on camera. As the review proceeds, ministers face the task of balancing the operational realities of the prison system with calls from victims’ families and campaigners for greater transparency and protections against early release in serious cases.