The mother of PC Andrew Harper has said her son has not been given "proper justice" after learning that two of his killers could be freed early under a new law. Debbie Adlam told the BBC that "every victim will be feeling the same" about the early release scheme, which is due to start in September 2026. The case has ignited a national debate about whether some violent offenders should be let out of prison early to ease overcrowding.
The Sentencing Act, passed by Sir Keir Starmer's government earlier this year, will from September 2026 make thousands of offenders in England and Wales eligible for early release. Unlike previous emergency measures introduced in 2024, the new act includes no exemptions for prisoners convicted of serious crimes, domestic abuse or terrorism. About 6,000 inmates could be freed on electronic tags under the scheme. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ordered a review of the plans, saying he wants "to assure myself that everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds".
“Explains the UK Sentencing Act 2026 early release scheme, sparked by PC Harper's case, and why it matters for victims and justice.”
Prison overcrowding has been a problem for years. Successive governments have released prisoners early to free up space. The Labour government introduced an emergency early release scheme in 2024, under which tens of thousands of inmates were let out. The Sentencing Act was designed as a more permanent solution to prevent the criminal justice system from "collapsing under its own weight", according to ministers. But it has provoked outrage because it applies to all offenders, including those who have committed serious violent crimes.
For UK readers, this policy has direct and personal implications. Victims' families fear that perpetrators of serious crimes will serve far less time than their sentences suggest. PC Harper's widow, Lissie Harper, called the possible early release "deplorable" and said politicians were "making decisions from behind a desk that will have real and lasting consequences". Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were convicted of manslaughter for their role in PC Harper's death, were sentenced to 13 years but could be released after six years under the act. The driver, Henry Long, was jailed for 16 years and would not be eligible. Mark Fairhurst, Chair of the Prison Officers' Association, said the PM must ensure there are "exemptions" to the scheme. The controversy also raises broader questions about how the UK balances the need to manage prison capacity against delivering justice.
Q: How did PC Andrew Harper die? PC Harper, 28, was killed in August 2019 in Berkshire while responding to a quad bike theft. He was dragged to his death by a car carrying three teenagers. The driver, Henry Long, was jailed for 16 years for manslaughter. Two passengers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were each sentenced to 13 years.
Q: What is the Sentencing Act 2026? It is a law passed by the previous government to ease prison overcrowding. From September 2026, it will allow some prisoners to be released earlier than their original sentence, including those convicted of serious crimes such as manslaughter, rape, and terrorism. Unlike earlier emergency schemes, it has no exemptions for those types of offences.
Q: What does the prime minister's review mean? Andy Burnham has said he will "look at it in detail before we go further forward" and work with the justice secretary to examine every aspect. He has not committed to changing the policy but acknowledged there is "pressure on prison places". The review could lead to exemptions or delays.
What happens next is uncertain. Two prison staffers told the BBC that governors were told to stop work on implementing the act two weeks ago, though the government says no decision has been made to delay it. Burnham said he would announce his findings before the September deadline. The Harper family and victims' groups are pressing for exemptions, while prison reform groups warn that abandoning the scheme could cause the system to collapse. The debate over how to fix the prison crisis while maintaining public confidence in justice is far from resolved.