Burnham says he will review early prisoner release scheme

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would review the early release policy for prisoners.

He told reporters in Bath: “I can’t say I can change the policy completely but I will look at it in detail before going any further.”

He acknowledged there was “pressure on prisons” and that a lack of investment in the prison system in the past had created an “unacceptable situation”.

Tens of thousands of prisoners have been released since September 2024 to make more space in prisons.

His comments came after the police officer’s mother, Andrew Harper, said she felt like an “insult” at the prospect of two of her son’s killers being released early.

Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were sentenced to 13 years in prison for manslaughter but could be released early under the new Criminal Code.

Overcrowding of prison space has been a problem for several years, and successive governments have released prisoners early to free up space.

The Sentencing Bill, passed by Sir Keir Starmer’s government earlier this year, is designed to ease pressure on prisons and will enable some criminals to spend less time in prison before being released.

Burnham said: “I want to reassure myself that everything has been examined before this policy is implemented and I can assure you that I will review every aspect of this matter with the justice secretary.”