PC Harper's killers to remain imprisoned as PM revises early release

Prime Minister Andy Burnham informed the BBC that those responsible for PC Andrew Harper's death would not be granted early release from prison. This statement came as he unveiled modifications to the early release scheme, designed to alleviate pressure on overcrowded correctional facilities.

In a private interview conducted by BBC Breakfast, Burnham stated that all individuals convicted of illegal killings, encompassing various forms of manslaughter, would be ineligible for this scheme. Had the rules remained unchanged, two of the officer's killers would have been candidates for early liberation.

Burnham also explained that additional prison capacity would be created by repatriating foreign inmates and granting release to certain prisoners serving indeterminate sentences.

This decision follows several months of advocacy from PC Harper's relatives and former police colleagues, who campaigned to prevent the early release of his killers.

In 2019, the 28-year-old officer was responding to a burglary incident in Berkshire when he was pulled along a road by a vehicle as three teenagers fled the scene of a quad bike theft.

When it became apparent that Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, two of the individuals convicted, might be released ahead of schedule, there was considerable public outcry urging government intervention to prevent those found guilty of manslaughter from securing early release.

Burnham conveyed to the BBC that he had heard the concerns expressed by Andrew Harper's family, noting that such sentiments were impossible to ignore. He stated that no one would desire a situation where individuals convicted of killing a police officer were set free from prison prematurely.

He acknowledged that his announcement would lead to hundreds more people remaining incarcerated, necessitating the creation of extra space within a prison system that is currently over 97% full across England and Wales.

These specific sentences were in use from 2005 to 2012 and were imposed on offenders deemed to pose a substantial risk of inflicting severe harm on the public.

Once the minimum term of an IPP sentence is completed, a prisoner can only be released if the Parole Board is convinced they no longer pose a danger to public safety, which often results in indefinite detention for many.

Burnham mentioned that he had applied a 'sensible approach' to the handling of IPP sentences, about which he had harbored 'long-standing worries'.

He explained to the BBC that he was presented with a situation where individuals on these particular sentences, who had already served more than their required time, were not being released, while others who had committed extremely serious crimes were being freed early.

He articulated his judgment that the public, in his view, would prefer a scenario where individuals who have completed their required sentence are considered for release before those who have not.

As of June, Ministry of Justice figures indicate that 2,271 individuals are serving IPP sentences. Of this group, 856 have never been released because the Parole Board deemed it unsafe to do so.

Burnham admitted that among these offenders, there would be 'individuals who will pose a risk to communities' and announced the formation of a cross-party oversight committee.

He added that the government intends to introduce legislation to abolish these sentences before the 'end of this Parliament'.

When questioned about the precise number of foreign prisoners who might be repatriated, Burnham responded that it would be 'hundreds'.

The government has previously stated that new powers will be implemented early next year, allowing for the immediate deportation of certain foreign criminals following their sentencing.