Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestylePrime minister Andy Burnham has announced a pause on the early release scheme for prisoners, which was scheduled to commence in September, following significant public backlash. This decision was made to allow for an urgent review of the policy and to ensure all possible measures are taken to minimise risk to the public before any prisoners are released under the scheme. The pause follows strong criticism, including from the widow of police officer Andrew Harper, who found it 'deplorable' that two of his killers were being considered for early release. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were sentenced to 13 years for the manslaughter of Pc Harper, could have been eligible for release after serving half their sentences under the proposed changes. The new Sentencing Act, due to be implemented in September, was projected to allow approximately 6,000 criminals to be released from prison earlier than their original terms. In fullAndy Burnham latest: Early prisoner release scheme paused after outrage over PC Harper’s killersMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

PC Harper’s mother said that the letter from the Ministry of Justice was an ‘insult beyond anything able to be put into words’

Albert Bowes and Jessie Cole will be eligible to walk free after serving just half their sentences under the government's early release scheme.