The Prime Minister has sought to reassure victims affected by Labour's early release of prisoners, stating, "I understand their anger and anxiety. More than that – I share it." This statement comes as the government announced a partial modification to its policy, excluding rapists from an upcoming early release program.
Lissie Harper, the widow of PC Harper who was killed in 2019, expressed dismay that two of his killers would still be released before serving their full sentences. Labour's Justice Secretary, Alex Norris, reportedly apologized to Harper, saying, "I'm very sorry we are in this situation."
Despite campaigning by victims and the Conservative party, the announcement has been criticized for failing to address the release of other serious offenders. Thousands of individuals, including those convicted of pedophilia, murder, and sexual abuse, are still slated for release after serving as little as one-third of their sentences.
The government has stated it has no alternative, a claim that has been met with skepticism given recent efforts to find 1,000 additional prison places for offenders. Lord Timpson, former prisons minister, has indicated that determining which criminals would be released and when has not been within ministerial control.
Conservative calculations suggested that approximately 2,500 rapists and paedophiles would have been eligible for early release under Labour's initial plan. Critics argue it is unacceptable for the government not to know the full impact of its own policies, deeming it unfair to victims and society.
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy contends that early release policies are often presented to ministers by civil servants with the assumption of minimal impact. He suggests Labour has collaborated with this approach, arguing that "ultimately they don't believe in prison."
For victims and communities, the prospect of convicted killers and sex offenders returning to the streets is a significant concern. Timothy has proposed a bill to prevent the release of sex offenders, child abusers, and serious violent criminals. With the release schedule set to begin in October, he urges the government to introduce emergency legislation in September to halt the process, asserting that this is owed to victims and the public.