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PC Harper's killers to stay in jail as PM announces changes to early release scheme
Confirmed
Watch: PM confirms PC Harper's killers will remain in prison Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told the BBC that PC Andrew Harper's killers will remain behind bars as he announced changes to the early release scheme aimed at easing prison overcrowding.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Breakfast, Burnham said anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including all forms of manslaughter, will be excluded from the scheme, which would have made two of the officer's killers eligible for early release.
He said he “couldn’t have pushed the system any further” as he confirmed changes to the prison early release scheme. The prime minister said anyone convicted of unlawful killing would be excluded from the early release scheme The prime minister said anyone convicted of unlawful killing would be excluded from the early release scheme At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground.
When it emerged that two of the killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, could be released early, there were passionate calls for the government to intervene and block those convicted of manslaughter from early release. He told the programme around 1,000 prisoners will remain in prison because of his initial changes, while “hundreds more” will stay behind bars because of the extra exemptions he announced on Sunday.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said he was "pleased" Harper's killers would not now be released but added it was a "bittersweet victory". PC Andrew Harper’s mother said she is “grateful” her son’s killers will not be released early, but they “are only back at where we were to start with”.
Chief Constable Jason Hogg said in a statement , external he hoped the announcement would bring reassurance to Harper's family, as well as to other victims and bereaved families "who continue to seek confidence that the most serious offences are treated with the gravity they deserve".
Prisoners convicted of manslaughter, indecent assault and death by dangerous driving will now be exempt from the scheme, designed to ease pressure on the prison system – and Mr Burnham said he can now look victims “in the eye”.
The prime minister had ordered a review of the changes to the Sentencing Act, which is being undertaken by justice secretary Alex Norris and is set to be published when parliament returns from summer recess this week. The prime minister is said to have taken a "political decision" to use some of the remaining capacity in the prison system to ensure the changes announced today could be implemented immediately.
What's confirmed
- Watch: PM confirms PC Harper's killers will remain in prison Prime Minister Andy Burnham has told the BBC that PC Andrew Harper's killers will remain behind bars as he announced changes to the early release scheme…
- In an exclusive interview with BBC Breakfast, Burnham said anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including all forms of manslaughter, will be excluded from the scheme, which would have made two of the officer's…
- The prime minister said anyone convicted of unlawful killing would be excluded from the early release scheme The prime minister said anyone convicted of unlawful killing would be excluded from the early release…
- He said he “couldn’t have pushed the system any further” as he confirmed changes to the prison early release scheme.
What's still developing
- When it emerged that two of the killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, could be released early, there were passionate calls for the government to intervene and block those convicted of manslaughter from early release .
- He conceded the announcement will mean "hundreds" more people stay in prison, meaning additional space will need to be found in a system that is more than 97% full in England and Wales.
- Harper's force, Thames Valley Police, said the prime minister's decision would be "welcomed by many across policing and our communities".
- Chief Constable Jason Hogg said in a statement , external he hoped the announcement would bring reassurance to Harper's family, as well as to other victims and bereaved families "who continue to seek confidence that…
- Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said he was "pleased" Harper's killers would not now be released but added it was a "bittersweet victory".
- The government has said powers will be implemented early next year to deport some foreign criminals immediately after sentencing.
- None of the measures announced by Burnham are likely to create much additional prison capacity by the time the first batch of prisoners are released early in October.
- The prime minister is said to have taken a "political decision" to use some of the remaining capacity in the prison system to ensure the changes announced today could be implemented immediately.