PC Andrew Harper's killers will be excluded from the prison early release scheme after Prime Minister Andy Burnham said anyone convicted of unlawful killing would be ruled out.The Prime Minister has been forced to keep 'hundreds' more people behind bars who would otherwise be eligible for release to ensure Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole are not let out.Bowers and Cole, two of PC Harper's three killers, were passengers in the car that dragged the police officer down a country road after he got caught in a strap attached to the vehicle as they fled the scene of a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in 2019.There has been a major public and political outcry at the possibility that under the scheme designed to reduce overcrowding they would be released next year, just halfway through their 13-year sentences for manslaughter. Mr Burnham had wanted to rule out just killers of emergency service workers from the scheme but was told such a move would open the door to legal challenges that the government would probably lose.Instead the PM today told the BBC all those in prison for unlawful killing would be ruled out – including death by dangerous driving – alongside those convicted of historic child sex offences and indecent assault.PC Harper's mother Debbie Adlam said she was 'grateful' her son's killers will not be released early, but added that the family is now 'only back at where we were to start with' after several 'traumatic' months. PC Andrew Harper was killed in August 2019 when responding to a quad bike theft in Berkshire PC Harper's killers Albert Bowers (left) and Jessie Cole (right), pictured outside court in 2020 The PM today told the BBC all those in prison for unlawful killing would be ruled out – including death by dangerous driving – alongside those convicted of historic child sex offences and indecent assaultSpeaking today to the BBC, Mr Burnham said he shared the 'concern and anger' of the public about prisoners such as Bowers and Cole being released early.Mr Burnham said: 'I know how strongly people feel about this issue.'That's why I took action during my first weeks as Prime Minister to block some of the very worst in society being released before they should.'We moved quickly to block vile criminals who commit rape, sexually abuse children and groom vulnerable young people.'He continued: 'But I always said I wanted to do more. We will now not only be keeping offenders serving time for indecent assault locked up, but also those in prison for manslaughter and death by dangerous driving.'This means that the awful criminals responsible for the killing of PC Andrew Harper will not have their sentence shortened.'The driver of the vehicle, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence and would not be eligible for early release.The Prime Minister ordered a review of the changes to the Sentencing Act, which is being undertaken by Justice Secretary Alex Norris and is set to be published when Parliament returns from summer recess this week.Labour's early release scheme started in September 2024 with the aim of easing overcrowding in jails.It allows certain prisoners to be released after serving 40 per cent of their fixed-term sentence, rather than the usual 50 per cent.The 2026 Sentencing Act, which became law earlier this year, allows for an expansion of the early release scheme by reducing the threshold from 40 per cent of a fixed-term sentence to a third. Mrs Adlam told BBC Breakfast: 'Of course, I'm grateful. I'm glad that we don't have to go through any more of this now, and you know they will get to serve what they were actually supposed to be serving.'It's a really mixed bag of emotions, though, because on the one hand we are glad, but we've been brought through the mill, and we are only back at where we were to start with. You know, go back a few months, this is where we were – so we're not making any headway or anything. We are just literally fighting to get back to where we were.'So I am glad, and I'm really grateful that you know this has been the outcome for us. I worry immensely for people that it doesn't happen for, you know, and I think realistically, the overall system has left some huge gaps still.'And I just hope that what Andy Burnham says there, that they will be going into a further overhaul over the next few years – it really needs to happen for our sakes.' Labour's early release scheme started in September 2024 with the aim of easing overcrowding in jails. A police officer and inmates are pictured outside Brixton Prison in London that monthThe chairwoman of Thames Valley Police Federation, Aileen O'Connor said: 'PC Andrew Harper made the ultimate sacrifice for the job that he loved, serving communities, serving society.'His killers should never have been considered for early release. It remains shocking that they were.'We are pleased that the Government – despite what was, frankly, initial reluctance – has eventually listened, seen sense and made the right decision to keep these low-lifes behind bars.'They had no option.'The weight of public and policing opinion against such plans was overwhelming.'The fact that more than one million people signed our petition over this was a historic public backing for police officers.'The fact 50 chief constables across the UK wrote an open letter calling for the Government to reconsider was unprecedented.'The right and proper decision has been made.'Since becoming Prime Minister, Mr Burnham has excluded rapists and child sex offenders from being eligible for the scheme following widespread condemnation.Some 5,000 people are now expected to be released early under sentencing changes under the Government's scheme, down from 6,000 after Mr Burnham's two exemptions were put in place.Unlawful act manslaughter is when a person causes the death of another while committing a separate illegal act.Mr Burnham said extra space in prisons would be created by deporting foreign prisoners and releasing inmates who are serving indefinite sentences under Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences (IPPs), which were given to offenders considered a significant risk to the public between 2005 and 2012.Full details of the latest changes are expected to be revealed by the Justice Secretary when Parliament returns.