THE GOVERNMENT is set to go ahead with plans to release some prisoners early despite objections from police and even the widow of a Berkshire policeman who was killed.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that plans which would see thousands of prisoners released early to ease a struggling prison system will continue.
He explained that while serious offenders convicted of crimes such as rape, serious child sexual offences, and grooming would also be excluded, around 5,000 prisoners would be eligible for early release.
The plans would see the move take place over around 10 months, starting in October.
Among those eligible would be two of those involved in the killing of Andrew Harper, an officer with Thames Valley Police who was killed near Sulhamstead in 2019 after being dragged behind a car for around a mile while responding to an incident of vehicle theft.
In 2020, three people were convicted of manslaughter, receiving 16 and 13 years imprisonment, but were ultimately acquitted of murder.
In the wake of the incident, Harper’s Law was passed, which encated a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for anyone convicted of killing emergency workers, following campaigning by PC Harper’s widow, Lissie Harper.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both passengers in the car behind which PC Harper was dragged, were sentenced to 13 years in prison each–but could serve less than half of that if they are part of the tranche of early releases in the next year.
The legislation is intended to address the significant overcrowding of prisons in England and Wales, where an increased use and length of custodial sentencing, a rise in recalls to prison, and a higher rate of imprisonment than almost every other country in western Europe.
An independent review of prisoner numbers in February last year by the Independent Sentencing Review said that successive governments had jailed more and more offenders amid continued underfunding of the justice system.
The Ministry of Justice has publicised statistical projections which show that the prison population of the UK could reach over 100,000 by 2030.
Chief Constable Jason Hogg said of the decision: “I am beyond disappointed the Government is continuing to allow PC Andrew Harper’s killers to be released early from prison despite the overwhelming recent public outcry.
“It is simple: if Andrew’s killers were convicted today, they would receive life sentences due to the law that was created in his name. They would not be eligible for early release.
“This decision is demoralising for all police officers and our fellow emergency service workers, not just in the Thames Valley, that puts themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve their community.
“We stand with Andrew’s family, the Police Federation, our Police and Crime Commissioner in our dismay and we will continue to lobby the Government to make the right decision.”
PCC Matthew Barber said: “PC Andrew Harper was killed in the line of duty just seven years ago. Andy Burnham promised action to prevent the early release of two of his killers and Andrew’s family, colleagues and the public he served will be rightly disappointed by the failure to act.
“The announcement that there will be emergency legislation to amend the failed Sentencing Act is welcome.
“There are many flaws in the legislation that risk public safety.
“Much needed changes to keep some of the worst rapists, sex offenders and grooming gang offenders are of course welcomed, but Andrew’s family are understandably disgusted that the case which made the Prime Minister think again is not going to be covered by these changes.”
He explained: “There is a way forward to deal with this problem, and when the House of Commons returns following the summer recess to enact this change in the law I will be championing an amendment to exclude Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole from the Government’s Early Release scheme.
“The public expects the Government to be on their side – and on the side of our police officers – who put themselves in danger on our behalf. Andrew’s killers have shown no remorse for their awful crime.
“The potential early release of these two individuals has highlighted the failings in the Sentencing Act.
“It is important that some of the worst problems created by the Government’s plans are fixed as a result of this case, but it would be a huge disservice to Andrew and his family if despite a change in the law two of his killers were released early.
“This cannot be allowed to happen.”
