While victims suffer from Labour’s policies – Streeting and Mahmood are cracking jokes | Politics | News
PC Andrew Harper’s killers could be released from prison early under Labor plan. (Image: Thames Valley Police/PA Wire)
Few issues are more likely to enrage victims than the early release of criminals from prison.
As thousands of criminals prepare to walk free under Labor plans to ease the prison overcrowding crisis, Andy Burnham’s Cabinet members were caught joking about just that. Many victims of serious crimes, whose perpetrators walk free, may find this the biggest slap in the face.
Among the criminals free to roam under Labor rule are the two murderers of police officer Andrew Harper. His mother said it felt like an “insult” that two of her son’s killers were eligible for early release from prison.
PC Harper was 28 when he suffered fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.
Three young suspects died after being caught by a belt tied to the back of a car and dragged along a village road while the suspect was fleeing the scene.
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the car and were 17 at the time, were sentenced to 13 years in prison for manslaughter following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2020.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed that both men may be eligible for release from prison when they are halfway through their sentences.
These aren’t the only serious criminals who could be released from prison sooner than expected.
Other murderers, rapists and sex offenders could also be released soon, while thousands of victims will be told their attackers will be released sooner than expected.
Nearly 2,500 rapists and pedophiles will be released early from prison in September as part of Labour’s plans to tackle the prison overcrowding crisis.
The government insists it has little choice.
Prisons in England and Wales are overcrowded. Almost three quarters (72%) of prisons in England and Wales were overcrowded in 2024/25; This represents an increase of nine percentage points compared to the previous year.
Lawmakers warned last year that efforts to increase prison capacity were failing, leading to overcrowding due to security risks, increasing violence and impeding rehabilitation efforts.
But victims may ask why they should pay the price for political failures that go back years.
While they are distraught, Defense Minister Wes Streeting and Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood joke about the issue.
Downing Street has stopped short of fully backing the release of rapists and babysitters, with new Justice Secretary Alex Norris already under pressure to rethink the policy. Asked whether the government could exempt the worst offenders, the Prime Minister’s spokesman insisted ministers were focused on keeping the public safe.
This leaves the door open to rethinking.
It can’t come soon enough for families who are anxiously waiting to see if the people who destroyed their lives will soon be able to walk free.
