Convicted murderers Albert Bowes and Jessie Cole, who killed police constable Andrew Harper, are set to be eligible for early release under proposed plans by the Labour Party. The pair could walk free after serving just half of their respective sentences as part of measures aimed at tackling prison overcrowding.
PC Harper was killed in August 2019 while responding to a burglary in Berkshire. Bowes and Cole were convicted of his murder in December 2020 and sentenced to 13 and a half years, and 10 years respectively. Under the current government's sentencing framework, they would typically serve a significant portion of their term before being considered for parole.
However, the Labour Party has indicated a potential shift in policy regarding prison sentences and early release. The specifics of their early release scheme, designed to alleviate pressure on an overcrowded prison system, would allow inmates to be freed after completing half of their custodial sentences. This policy shift raises concerns for those connected to victims of serious crimes, including the family of PC Harper.