Lissie Harper, widow of PC Andrew Harper, has expressed outrage after Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed that her husband's killers remain eligible for early release from prison. The announcement came as Mr Burnham delayed his planned changes to the prisoner release scheme by one month, citing the risk of prison system collapse.
PM's announcement and exclusions
Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Burnham said he had ordered an urgent review of the release scheme after listening to victims' concerns. He confirmed that offenders convicted of rape, serious child sex offences, and grooming will be excluded from the early release changes. However, those responsible for killing PC Harper, who was murdered in 2019 while responding to a burglary in Berkshire, will still be eligible for release after serving a third of their sentence.
"Keeping the public safe is my top priority," said Mr Burnham, the Makerfield MP. "That's why I asked for an urgent review of the prisoner release scheme. I fully understand the anger, anxiety and distress that's been caused. I've heard that loud and clear."
He added: "I wanted to go even further as I know there will still be concerns about other offenders having their sentence shortened. But it's not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk."
Lissie Harper's response
Reacting to the news, Lissie Harper said she was "beyond appalled and bristling with anger" that Andrew's killers would soon be free. "This is disgusting. I am beyond appalled and bristling with anger to hear that Andrew's killers are soon to be free to roam the streets," she said.
"What abhorrent message does this send? How dare ministers say the killing of a police officer is not enough of a 'sickening crime' that deserves the stiffest of punishments. The level of disrespect the Government are showing to Andrew and other victims – and to their loved ones such as me – is beyond contempt."
She described the early release as "an affront to justice" and "an utter betrayal". Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg also criticised the decision, calling it "demoralising for all police officers".
Victims' Commissioner weighs in
Claire Waxman, the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, said the early release plans have "been a source of shock, distress and uncertainty for victims" and that many have been let down by "poor communication". While welcoming the new exclusions, she noted that "most will not fall within those categories, and exclusions alone cannot guarantee victim or public safety."
She stressed the need for "effective risk management, meaningful licence conditions, proper supervision and timely, trauma-informed communication and support".
Details of the sentencing changes
Under the changes to the Sentencing Act, approximately 6,000 offenders were due to be released in September after serving a third of their sentence, rather than half, to ease prison overcrowding. Prisoners serving sentences of four years or more would be released at the halfway point instead of two-thirds. The changes also introduce a progression model that ends automatic release for poorly behaved prisoners, meaning those who break rules or are violent could spend 100% of their sentence in custody.
Mr Burnham confirmed that rapists and child sexual offenders will not be eligible for these changes, adding to exclusions already in place for 18,000 offenders, including the most dangerous and those serving life sentences. He also announced the fastest prison building programme since the Victorian era, aiming to create 14,000 new prison places by 2031.
Impact and reaction
The delay in implementing the changes means the early release scheme will now start in October rather than September. Critics argue that excluding only certain offences does not go far enough, particularly in cases like PC Harper's murder. The Prime Minister acknowledged the public's anger, saying he had heard it "loud and clear", but insisted that without the changes, the prison system would collapse, posing a greater risk to public safety.
The Government has promised tougher community supervision for released offenders, including a presumption that all offenders are tagged, longer supervision periods, and new restriction zones for certain offenders. However, for Lissie Harper and many victims' families, these measures offer little comfort as they face the prospect of their loved ones' killers walking free.
