Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has ordered an urgent pause to plans for the early release of thousands of prisoners, insisting public safety must come first amid growing concern from victims' families. Burnham confirmed that no offenders will be released under the scheme due to begin in September until a rapid review has been completed. The move follows criticism over the potential early release of two men convicted over the death of PC Andrew Harper.
Public Safety Priority
In a statement, Burnham said: “Keeping the public safe will always be my top priority. I am working closely with the new Justice Secretary and have instructed my team to put a pause on the changes that were due to start in September. No prisoners will be let out under this policy until we have conducted an urgent review and done everything we can to minimise risk to the public. Where changes are needed, we will not hesitate to make them.”
The scheme, introduced to ease severe prison overcrowding, would have seen around 6,000 inmates released earlier than expected under changes in the Sentencing Act, according to PA. Some offenders serving standard determinate sentences were eligible for release after serving a third of their term, while more serious offenders could be released at the halfway point rather than two-thirds.
Victims' Concerns
The policy came under renewed scrutiny after it emerged that Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, jailed for manslaughter over the killing of PC Harper in 2019, could be considered for early release. The officer, 28, died after being dragged for more than a mile by a car while responding to a burglary in Berkshire. His widow, Lissie Harper, described the early release as 'deplorable'. She said: “It is deplorable to me that we have reached a point where releasing prisoners early is even considered acceptable. We speak of justice, accountability and standing with victims, yet decisions like this do the opposite.”
PC Harper’s mother, Debbie Adlam, welcomed the pause but said 'it’s not enough', adding it should be the start of a wider rethink of the system. Victims’ commissioner Claire Waxman also welcomed the decision, saying pressing ahead without stronger safeguards would have been 'the wrong course of action'. She noted that thousands of victims had already been told offenders who harmed them could be released early, leaving many 'living with renewed fear and uncertainty'.
Government Justification
The Government had previously argued that the changes were necessary due to a critical shortage of prison spaces. When Labour took office in 2024, ministers warned that jails were close to running out of capacity, with fewer than 100 spare places in the adult male estate at one stage. Justice minister Jake Richards told MPs last month that without the reforms, 'the courts would be at risk of grinding to a halt', meaning offenders could not be brought to justice.
Those released early would have been subject to strict licence conditions, including curfews and electronic tagging, with the possibility of being recalled to prison if they breached the rules. Ministers now say the review will be carried out quickly. Junior housing minister Sally Jameson said the process would take place in the 'coming days and weeks', adding it was 'absolutely important' decisions were made swiftly to avoid further pressure on the prison system. She said: “It’s right that the feelings of victims and public safety are taken into account, but also that we need to make these decisions very quickly because we cannot find ourselves in the position we were in when prisons were on the brink of collapse.”
Next Steps
Burnham’s intervention signals a significant shift in approach, with ministers now under pressure to balance overcrowded prisons with concerns over justice, public safety and victims’ rights. Claire Waxman added: “I am now seeking urgent clarity from ministers about what this decision means for victims, the timetable for what happens next, and how they will be protected and kept informed throughout the process.”
