[REVISION HISTORY]

UK moves to block manslaughter convicts from early release

Updated 12 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-14 10:43 UTC → 2026-08-26 22:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

UK ~~early-release scheme paused amid Harper outcry~~ moves to block manslaughter convicts from early release

In June 2026, Justice Secretary David Lammy announced a statutory early‑release scheme for England and ~~Wales, intended to start in September and cut sentences for serious violent offenders from two‑thirds~~ Wales to ~~roughly half.~~ address prison capacity. The plan ~~was quickly~~ applied to the 2019 manslaughter ~~case~~ of PC Andrew Harper, making his killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, eligible for release after serving half their 13‑year terms. ~~After strong criticism from Harper’s family, police unions and the Manchester mayor,~~ Following intense criticism, the government suspended the programme on 24 July pending a review ~~led~~ by Justice Secretary Alex Norris. By early August, Harper’s widow Lissie Harper called the proposal “deplorable” and “disgusting,” arguing it insulted victims and undermined public safety. While the government has excluded rapists and serious child‑sex offenders from the scheme to address a looming prison‑capacity crisis, it has resisted expanding these exemptions to manslaughter. Opposition Public opposition has ~~intensified as~~ surged, with a petition ~~demanding a “Harper’s Law”~~ organized by the Thames Valley Police Federation surpassing one million signatures. An Ipsos poll indicated 69 per cent of the public objects to ~~bar~~ using early release ~~for those who kill emergency workers surpassed 880,000 signatures. On 10 August, Downing Street stated it is “not possible”~~ to ~~exempt specific individuals from the scheme due to existing sentencing structures. However, following an open letter from 50 policing~~ manage overcrowding. The Thames Valley Police Federation has indicated it will pursue legal action, and ~~law enforcement leaders urging the government to explore “every lawful option” to keep the killers jailed,~~ Chief Constable Jason Hogg is considering a judicial review. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has directed the Justice Secretary ~~Alex Norris~~ to develop a plan to prevent the early release of ~~Cole and~~ Cole, Bowers, ~~as well as~~ and other serious offenders. Burnham ~~expressed he~~ is ~~“increasingly confident” that~~ exploring two paths: blocking the ~~policy can be adapted through measures such as increasing~~ release of those who kill emergency workers or blocking the release of all manslaughter convicts. To mitigate prison ~~capacity,~~ strain, the government is considering accelerating the deportation of foreign national ~~offenders,~~ offenders and reviewing indeterminate sentences. ~~A formal plan is expected~~ On 26 August, Justice Secretary Alex Norris announced intentions to ~~be presented~~ introduce secondary legislation to ~~Parliament in September. The scheme is currently estimated~~ amend the Sentencing Act. This amendment aims to ~~affect approximately 5,000 inmates.~~ ensure individuals convicted of manslaughter, rape, and child grooming are excluded from early release schemes, specifically targeting those convicted of ‘unlawful act’ manslaughter.

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