PC Andrew Harper’s killers will stay in prison as Burnham changes early release scheme

PC Andrew Harper’s killers will remain imprisoned after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham altered early release plans, responding to public outrage over the potential early freedom of those convicted in the officer’s 2019 killing.

Burnham announced that anyone convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter and death by dangerous driving, will no longer qualify for early release under a scheme designed to ease prison overcrowding. The change specifically blocks early release for Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, both sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter in the fatal ambush of PC Harper, a 28-year-old officer who died while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.

The prime minister emphasized the decision followed intense public and family pressure. “I heard what Andrew Harper’s family were saying—nobody would want a situation where those guilty of killing a police officer are released early from prison,” Burnham told the BBC. He acknowledged the move would increase prison populations in a system already 97% full in England and Wales, admitting he had pushed the system “to the very limits of what’s possible.”

To offset the impact, the government plans to deport foreign prisoners and release some inmates serving indefinite sentences. Burnham also introduced stricter post-release supervision, including electronic tagging and restricted zones to prevent offenders from approaching victims.

In a separate reform, Burnham pledged to end Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences by the end of this parliament. Introduced between 2005 and 2012, IPPs allowed indefinite detention for offenders deemed high-risk, even after they served their minimum terms. Data from the Ministry of Justice shows 2,271 people remain under IPP sentences, with 856 never released due to ongoing safety concerns.

The prime minister defended prioritizing IPP prisoners for release over others still serving fixed terms. “The public, in my view, would prefer a situation where people who have served their time are considered for release before those who haven’t,” he said. A cross-party oversight group will review high-risk cases.

The changes mark a significant shift in UK criminal justice policy, prioritizing public safety while addressing prison capacity constraints.

#PoliceJustice #AndrewHarper #AndyBurnham #Manslaughter #PrisonReform #UKGovernment #IPPSentences