Prime Minister Andy Burnham has instructed the Justice Secretary to "work through further options" to prevent the early release of Pc Andrew Harper's killers. This follows mounting pressure from Pc Harper's family and police to keep Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter, behind bars beyond January.
Downing Street's initial stance
On Monday, Downing Street said it was "not possible" to exempt "one or two offenders" convicted of manslaughter from the early release scheme. However, Justice Secretary Alex Norris will now examine ways to keep "a greater number of the most serious offenders" incarcerated.
A Government spokesperson said: "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."
Background of the case
Pc Harper was fatally injured in 2019 when he became caught in a strap attached to a car and was dragged along a country road as the killers fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire. Cole and Bowers were convicted of manslaughter in 2020 and are due for release halfway through their sentences.
Around 5,000 people are expected to be released early under sentencing changes, down from 6,000 after some exemptions were announced in an urgent review to address prison overcrowding. Exemptions currently apply to those convicted of rape, serious child sex offences, and grooming offences.
Public pressure and petition
More than 880,000 people have signed a petition demanding that Pc Harper's killers remain in prison. Number 10 previously stated that manslaughter of an emergency worker is "not a standalone offence," making it "not possible to simply exclude one or two offenders" within the broader manslaughter category.
According to The Times, a Government source said: "[Burnham] has never accepted that he would be forced to choose between perpetrators of rape, grooming and the killers of police officers. The public wasn't satisfied with that answer and neither was he. He has never accepted the line that it is impossible to prevent the release of the most serious offenders and has continued to push the system on a daily basis. He is now increasingly confident that a solution can be found to prevent the release of the killers of Pc Harper. He has asked the Justice Secretary to present a plan to Parliament that keeps a greater number of the most serious offenders in prison, including the killers of Pc Harper."
Impact of early release changes
The early release changes were part of the Sentencing Act passed earlier this year, which reduced the minimum time many offenders must serve. Those released will face tougher probation conditions, including electronic monitoring, random drug testing, and possible bans from driving, pubs, and events such as football matches.
