Pc Harper’s killers to be excluded from early release scheme
There are reports people convicted of a certain type of manslaughter will no longer be eligible for early release
Pc Andrew Harper's killers will be excluded from the early release scheme and remain imprisoned, according to recent reports.
The Telegraph reveals that people convicted of a certain type of manslaughter will no longer be eligible for early release.
Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, had pledged to do "everything possible" to prevent the early release of Bowers and Cole following criticism of the scheme.
The Prime Minister clarified earlier this month that the decision related to "unlawful act" manslaughter is speculative.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris is currently reviewing the scheme, with findings planned for publication in September after the summer recess of Parliament.
According to the newspaper, Norris aims to amend the Sentencing Act through secondary legislation, reducing early release for prisoners.
Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were passengers in a car that dragged Pc Harper down a country lane in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, during their escape in 2019.
Under existing rules, they would be freed next year, having served half of their 13-year sentences.
Their early release has been widely opposed, with over 1 million people signing a petition against freeing Pc Harper's killers before they serve their full term.
Labour's early release initiative started in September 2024 to ease prison overcrowding, allowing certain prisoners to be released after 40% of their sentences instead of 50%.
The Sentencing Act 2026, enacted earlier this year, reduced the threshold for early release to a third of a fixed-term sentence.
Prime Minister Burnham has already excluded rapists and child sex offenders from the scheme.
Unlawful act manslaughter occurs when a death results from another illegal act.
A Government spokesperson said: “The death of Pc Andrew Harper was a horrific crime.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and we share the anger from the police community that we are in this position.
“The Prime Minister has asked the Justice Secretary to work through further options to keep a greater number of the most serious offenders in prison, including the killers of Pc Harper.
“Thanks to tireless campaigning by Andrew’s family, Harper’s Law means that anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker whilst committing a crime now gets a mandatory life sentence.
“This Government has gone further by introducing a presumption that anyone convicted of murdering a police, prison or probation officer is handed a whole-life order.”