The UK government is defending a new early prison release scheme following public outcry over its potential application to individuals convicted of serious crimes, including the killers of PC Andrew Harper. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed that two of the teenagers convicted in connection with PC Harper's death could be eligible for release halfway through their sentences under the new Sentencing Act, set to take effect in September. This policy change is expected to affect approximately 6,000 inmates.
PC Harper died in August 2019 after becoming entangled in a strap attached to a fleeing car during a response to a quad bike theft in Berkshire. He was dragged for a mile down a country road. The driver of the vehicle, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence for manslaughter. His accomplices, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were convicted of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 13 years. The MoJ has stated that Long will not be eligible for the early release scheme. However, the government has not yet explicitly ruled out whether the scheme could apply to other individuals convicted of murder, rape, or pedophilia.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed sympathy for PC Harper's family, calling the crime appalling and assuring that the main perpetrator would not be subject to early release. He acknowledged that other individuals involved might potentially be identified for such a scheme. The MoJ spokesperson emphasized the government's commitment to public safety, citing the rapid construction of prison places and difficult decisions being made to incarcerate dangerous offenders. The ministry asserted that the Sentencing Act will not permit early releases for individuals deemed "the most dangerous," including those serving extended determinate or life sentences. Concerns have been raised that the new act might lead to judges being ordered to stop jailing dangerous criminals due to prison capacity issues, a claim the government has sought to address by asserting its commitment to building more prison spaces.
