Labour’s prison early release scheme is still set to go ahead in September despite Andy Burnham ordering a review after condemnation by the widow of killed policeman Andrew Harper. The Mail has the story.
The Government’s prison early release scheme is mired in chaos amid expectations it will still go ahead in September – despite Andy Burnham ordering a review.
The Prime Minister said he would “look at” the scheme “in detail” before proceeding, amid outrage over the possible early release of two of PC Andrew Harper’s killers.
Lissie Harper, the widow of PC Harper, said it was “deplorable” that Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers might now be eligible to be released from prison halfway through their 13-year sentences.
Under the new Sentencing Act, set to come into force in September, some 6,000 criminals are set to be released under the early prison release scheme. The Government has so far failed to rule out whether killers, rapists and paedophiles will be exempt from the scheme.
Downing Street sources declined to outline the specifics of the review ordered by Burnham, but said – as it stands – the scheme is still set to go ahead in September.
Emma Reynolds, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, also failed to rule out the scheme still proceeding later this year.
“The PM said yesterday that he wants to look at the implementation of this policy,” she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Asked if that means it might not happen, Reynolds said: “That is something that he (Burnham) and the Justice Secretary (Alex Norris) will set out in the coming weeks.”
Cole and Bowers were handed 13 years in custody for manslaughter after a trial into PC Harper’s death at the Old Bailey in 2020.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed Cole and Bowers might be eligible to be released from prison halfway through their sentences.
PC Harper was 28 when he sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.
He died after getting caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and dragged down a country road as three teenage suspects fled the scene of the burglary.
Cole and Bowers, who were passengers in the car, were both 17 years old at the time. The driver of the vehicle which caused PC Harper’s death, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence, and will not be eligible for the early release scheme.
Mrs Harper on Wednesday piled pressure on Burnham to rethink the policy as she said it is “deplorable” that two of her late husband’s killers are being considered for early release.
Mrs Harper, who was married for just 28 days before PC Harper’s death, said that politicians are “making decisions from behind a desk that will have real and lasting consequences” for the families of victims.
Debbie Adlam, the mother of PC Harper, said it feels like an “insult” that two of her son’s killers may be eligible for early release from prison. …
The PM was also forced to rebuke his Cabinet ministers for joking about Labour letting prisoners out.
Worth reading in full.
Stop Press: Andy Burnham has now announced a pause in the early release of prisoners pending the outcome of a review.
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Living in the UK x 30 yrs and witnessing things only going from bad to worse, the early release of violent prisoners is not only irresponsible, it is dangerous. With 650 MPs paid to represent the Uk public one would have thought the majority of any party would vote against such a dangerous and irresponsible decision. The implosion of Gb, carries on by a sinister element. And it is not those in prison. RIP GB.
I am old enough to remember Great Britain when it was indeed “a green and pleasant land”. I weep for my country. I am glad that I am as old as I am, and that I have no descendants to worry about.
And while everyone is distracted by all these things, see what shadowy “prison psychologists” have sneaked through:
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana moved to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital
“The move is likely to anger many of the families of his victims, who will insist he was assessed as fit to stand trial in January 2025.”
“It will lead to an increase in the costs for his incarceration. Costs for patients in hospital secure units are more than £300,000 each a year, compared with about £60,000 for every prisoner, Whitehall sources said.”
“Responding to the move to Broadmoor, Mark Fairhurst, the national chair of the POA union, which represents prison, correctional, and secure psychiatric workers, said his members believe he is “playing the system” so he can move to a more comfortable environment.”
But the question is: WHO ADVISED HIM TO DO THAT?
See how this has evidently been approved from the top, just as Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister, and the Rwandan was transferred almost on the very day (July 20th) that Burnham re-appointed the Pakistani Muslim Extreme Gaza Activist Mahmood as Home Secretary? Is this a STEALTH REWARD for the Rwandan’s conversion to Islam, by any chance? A Stealth Reward… Read more »
Mark Fairhurst said, “[Rudakubana] is not mentally unwell. He is playing the system and is nothing more than EVIL. He should spend his entire sentence in solitary confinement staring at four walls.”
“It is appalling to think that he will now enjoy all the freedoms a secure hospital is forced to give him, and even more unjustified is the taxpayer actually paying him benefits, because he is now classed as mentally unwell.”
“ This is a sickening development and my thoughts are with the families of the victims, and all those who have been affected by his atrocious crime.”
“The Prime Minister said he would “look at” the scheme “in detail”… until it’s no longer in the media spotlight and the public has forgotten about it.
https://www.gbnews.com/politics/politics-news-latest-andy-burnham-government-labour-nigel-farage-reform-kemi-badenoch-conservatives Time marches on.
I wonder why the DM thinks the policy is in chaos. Journalists and others too often suppose that outcomes the public think are bad must be the result of error, oversight or chaos.
Instead assume this is what was intended. The political class no doubt encouraged the view this was not what was intended. It is diversionary action; when the future dies down the releases will go on as planned.
By suppressing crime data tge public will never be told the consequences.
They do not give a sxxt, time to stop pretending the Government is your friend in any way.
It’s only a review. Just something to mollify the public for five minutes; which is the length of time that most people will remember the widow’s complaints.
Unfortunately the Home Secretary and Streeting think it’s a bit of a laugh to release violent criminal into society. Clearly the policy of this government is not for the protection of society which explains why they are so keen to let undocumented people into the country.
interestingly the conference on “The Resurgence of Political Terrorism” has started to look at left wing violence head on. I hope it’s not too late but I fear that it may be too little too late!
Streeting was quite happy to have a Mail journalist fall in front of a train – and in true snivelling leftie style failed to include Jan Moir in his apology.