Andy Burnham’s Decision to Pause Early Prison Release Scheme Welcomed but Branded “Not Enough” by Victims’ Families

The decision to temporarily suspend plans for an early release scheme for prisoners has been described as a positive first step, but the family of murdered police officer Andrew Harper has warned that much more work is needed before they will feel reassured.

Andy Burnham announced that he had ordered an immediate pause on the proposed changes, which were expected to allow thousands of offenders to leave prison earlier than originally planned. However, Debbie Adlam, the mother of Pc Andrew Harper, said that while the move was welcome, it did not go far enough and called for a full review of the policy.

Under the upcoming Sentencing Act, which was due to take effect in September, around 6,000 prisoners were expected to benefit from the early release programme. The plan was designed as a way to reduce pressure on the prison system, but it faced strong criticism from victims’ families and campaigners who questioned whether public safety had been given enough consideration.

Concerns intensified after it emerged that two men convicted in connection with Pc Harper’s death could potentially have qualified for earlier release under the scheme.

Family of Pc Andrew Harper Raises Concerns

Pc Andrew Harper was 28 years old when he died while responding to reports of a stolen quad bike in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019.

The young officer was killed after becoming caught in a vehicle being driven during the incident. His death shocked the country and led to widespread public support for his family and colleagues in the police service.

Three men were convicted following his death. Henry Long, who was driving the vehicle involved, received a 16-year prison sentence. However, because of the length of his sentence, he would not have qualified for the early release programme.

The issue involved Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the vehicle. Both men were convicted of manslaughter following a trial at the Old Bailey in 2020 and were sentenced to 13 years in custody.

Under the proposed changes, Cole and Bowers could have become eligible for release after serving half of their sentences rather than the usual two-thirds period.

This possibility caused anger and disappointment among Pc Harper’s family, who questioned why people connected to such a serious crime could potentially leave prison earlier.

Pc Harper’s widow, Lissie Harper, previously described the early release plans as “deplorable”, arguing that the policy failed to properly consider the impact on victims and their loved ones.

Burnham Orders Immediate Review

Following growing criticism, Andy Burnham announced that the planned changes would be paused while officials carried out an urgent review.

He said his team had been instructed to stop the implementation of the policy temporarily, adding that no prisoners would be released under the new system until authorities had examined the risks and explored ways to protect the public.

The decision was seen by some campaigners and victims’ families as an important acknowledgement that concerns needed to be addressed.

However, Debbie Adlam, Pc Harper’s mother, said the pause was only the beginning of a much larger process.

Speaking to ITV News, she said: “It’s not enough.”

Although she welcomed the move as a positive starting point, she stressed that the issue required careful consideration rather than a quick response.

She explained that while the situation was deeply personal for her family, the consequences of the policy affected many other victims and communities across the country.

According to Adlam, the government needed to examine the matter thoroughly and consider alternative approaches before making any final decisions.

She said she hoped the review would lead to meaningful changes and produce clear results rather than simply becoming a temporary political response.

Calls for Greater Protection of the Public

The controversy surrounding the early release scheme has highlighted wider concerns about balancing prison capacity issues with public safety.

Supporters of the scheme argued that changes were necessary because of overcrowding in prisons and increasing pressure on the criminal justice system.

However, critics argued that decisions about releasing offenders early should take into account the seriousness of their crimes and the suffering experienced by victims’ families.

For families like the Harpers, the possibility of offenders receiving reduced time behind bars has been particularly painful.

They believe that victims should have a stronger voice in decisions involving sentence reductions and early releases.

The case of Pc Harper has become a major example in discussions about sentencing policy, as his family continues to campaign for justice and accountability.

A Long-Running Fight for Justice

Since Andrew Harper’s death, his family has continued to raise awareness about issues affecting victims of crime.

His widow, Lissie Harper, has repeatedly spoken about the impact of losing her husband and has called for stronger protections for families affected by serious offences.

The family’s opposition to the early release scheme reflects their belief that sentences should properly reflect the seriousness of crimes and provide justice for victims.

While Burnham’s decision to pause the policy has provided some reassurance, Debbie Adlam made clear that the family will continue pressing for further action.

She said the review must be detailed and meaningful, with the goal of finding solutions that prevent similar concerns from arising in the future.

The pause represents a temporary halt rather than a final decision on the future of the scheme. Authorities will now examine the policy and consider whether changes are required before any further steps are taken.

For Pc Harper’s family and many other victims’ groups, the key issue remains ensuring that public safety and the rights of victims are placed at the centre of decisions about criminal justice.