Families affected by homicide have written to Justice Secretary Alex Norris calling for all forms of manslaughter to be excluded from the Government's early release scheme. In their letter, they said victims are “being asked to bear the consequences of the prison capacity crisis.”
Families and signatories
Signatories include Emma Webber, whose son Barnaby was stabbed to death in Nottingham in 2023, and whose killer Valdo Calocane was convicted of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility. Diana Parkes, whose daughter Joanna Simpson was killed by her estranged husband Robert Brown in 2010, also signed; Brown was convicted of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.
Other signatories include John and Amy Hunt, family members of Carol Hunt and her daughters Hannah and Louise, killed in 2024 by Louise's ex-boyfriend Kyle Clifford, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to a whole-life order. John and Penny Clough, parents of murdered nurse Jane Clough, and Josh Rook, whose sister Annabel Rook was murdered in 2025, also signed.
Context and government plans
The letter follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham's indication that the Government would amend the early release scheme to exclude the killers of Pc Andrew Harper, convicted of unlawful act manslaughter. Without further changes, 5,000 people are set to be released early, down from 6,000 after some exemptions were announced.
The families, along with campaigners and victims' organisations, expressed “deep concerns about how early release may apply in homicide.” They wrote: “We welcome reports that the Government is considering steps to prevent those responsible for the killing of Pc Harper, and others convicted of unlawful act manslaughter, from benefiting from the early release scheme.”
Legal distinctions and impact
Voluntary manslaughter involves intent to kill or cause serious harm with a partial defence, such as loss of control or diminished responsibility. Involuntary manslaughter includes gross negligence or unlawful act manslaughter. Pc Harper's killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were found guilty of unlawful act manslaughter and remain eligible for release in January, halfway through their 13-year sentences.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “We have always stated we wanted to go further, and we are fast-tracking a plan to keep more of the most dangerous offenders behind bars.” The Prime Minister has asked the Justice Secretary to present a plan for further changes to Parliament in early September.
Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, chairwoman of Refuge, said: “This letter brings together more than 35 signatories, including bereaved families from across the country who have experienced the worst loss imaginable.” Frank Mullane, chief executive of Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse, added: “The breadth of support for this letter demonstrates the strength of feeling among bereaved families.”
