Andy Burnham pauses early release plan for prisoners
The new Prime Minister says public safety is his top priority
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a pause on the plans for early prisoner release under the Sentencing Act, which was scheduled to become effective in September.
The plan, which would have seen the release of approximately 6,000 criminals under an early prison release scheme, is now under urgent review.
Burnham emphasised public safety as his top priority and conveyed his decision to halt the changes, pending a comprehensive evaluation.
"No prisoners will be let out under this policy until we have conducted an urgent review and done everything we can to minimise risk to the public," Burnham stated.
The decision follows criticism from the family of police officer Andrew Harper, particularly from his widow Lissie Harper, who described the scheme as “deplorable.”
Andrew Harper was killed at the age of 28 in August 2019 while responding to a theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.
Henry Long, driver of the vehicle involved in Harper's death, was sentenced to 16 years and would not qualify for early release, but Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, passengers handed 13-year sentences, could have become eligible under the scheme.
Burnham’s pause on the early release plan aims to address these concerns, ensuring all necessary changes are considered to maximise public safety.
The review seeks to reassess the risks associated with reducing the time served by offenders such as Cole and Bowers, from two-thirds to half of their sentences.
Burnham assured the public his administration would not hesitate to make necessary adjustments following the review's findings.