Andy Burnham Pauses Early Release Prisoner Scheme After Backlash

Andy Burnham has announced he will be pausing the scheme to release some prisoners early following widespread backlash.

The prime minister declared “no prisoners will be let out” until an urgent review into the legislation has been conducted.

The initial policy saw low-level offenders having their sentences suspended more frequently, but changes due to come in on September 2 would have seen this early release extended to more serious offenders.

The scheme, unveiled in the Sentencing Act 2026 under Keir Starmer, was intended to cut some sentences short to reduce prison overcrowding.

However, concerns over the proposals began on Wednesday when it emerged that two of the three people responsible for killing PC Andrew Harper in 2019 could be released.

In a statement this afternoon, the prime minister 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 Sentencing Act was meant to release up to 7,000 inmates on standard sentences across ten tranches after serving just a third of their expected time behind bars.

Thousands more who were found guilty of more serious sentences were expected to be released after serving half of their time behind bars instead of two-thirds.

The original guidance meant this would apply to offences including manslaughter and soliciting murder.

The men’s prison estate today is operating at 97% capacity – a fall from the 99% capacity seen in 2024, but still dangerously close to full.

Burnham’s response came after the former police officer’s family expressed their fury at the idea his killers could be released.

PC Andrew Harper’s widow Lissie Harper said in a statement: “When I fought for Harper’s Law, I was supported not only by the Conservative government of the day but by the Labour party too.

“They pledged to support our cause and agreed that those who kill emergency workers should face tougher sentences because some crimes are so grave they demand meaningful punishment.

“That cross-party support helped make Harper’s Law a reality. Today, it feels forgotten.”

Tory shadow home secretary Chris Philp also claimed on X that the “early release scheme allows rapists and serious criminals out of prison early and it must be urgently cancelled”.

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