Andy Burnham has announced a pause to the early release scheme that would have freed thousands of prisoners, bowing to fierce criticism from victims’ families — including the widow of PC Andrew Harper, who called the plans “deplorable”. The prime minister said no prisoners would be released until an urgent review had been completed, adding: “Where changes are needed, we will not hesitate to make them.”
The Sentencing Act, due to come into effect in September, was designed to ease prison overcrowding by releasing some offenders after serving a third of their sentence instead of half, and more serious offenders after half rather than two-thirds. Around 700 prisoners were expected to be freed in early September. But the policy drew backlash from opposition parties and victims, particularly after it emerged that two of the killers of PC Harper — who was dragged to death by a car in Berkshire in 2019 — would have benefited from the scheme from June 2027.
“Burnham pauses early release scheme after victims' outcry as prison staff warned of unrest”
PC Harper’s widow, Lissie, said politicians were “making decisions from behind a desk that will have real and lasting consequences” for victims’ families. His mother said her son had not been given “proper justice” and that “every victim will be feeling the same”. Thousands of letters had already been sent to victims warning them of the impending release.
Justice Secretary Alex Norris, who voted for the act under Starmer’s government, said the pause aimed to “give victims and survivors certainty” and that a review would also examine the information provided to them as part of the early release process. “We want to make sure we get the implementation of this policy right,” he added.
But the delay has created new tensions inside prisons. Sky News understands that the government has asked prison staff to report any “stability issues” that may arise as a result of prisoners whose release dates have been pushed back. The move underscores the delicate balance ministers face: managing overcrowding while trying to restore public confidence after a wave of anger from those left bereaved by crime.