Justice Secretary Alex Norris has apologized to the family of PC Andrew Harper but declined to reverse a government decision to allow two of his killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, to remain eligible for early release under a scheme to ease prison overcrowding. The decision has sparked significant public backlash, with a petition against the early release accumulating over 760,000 signatures.
PC Harper, a 28-year-old officer, was killed in August 2019 in Berkshire while responding to a quad bike theft. He sustained fatal injuries after becoming entangled in a strap attached to a getaway car. Henry Long, the driver of the car, was sentenced to 16 years for murder. His accomplices, Cole and Bowers, were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter in 2020.
Under current government plans, Cole and Bowers could be released after serving half of their sentences, potentially in the coming months. This early release is part of a broader government initiative to address prison capacity issues, which is expected to see approximately 5,000 additional criminals freed early over a 10-month period starting in October. This figure was reduced from an initial estimate of 6,000 after an urgent review excluded individuals convicted of rape, child sex offenses, and grooming offenses.
Lissie Harper, PC Harper's widow, described the potential early release of his killers as a "disgusting betrayal" and expressed outrage that they could be free to "roam the streets" as early as 2027. PC Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, also voiced anger and disappointment, questioning the justice system's handling of the case.
Aileen O'Connor, Chair of the Thames Valley Police Federation, initiated the petition, arguing that the killing of a police officer should warrant stricter treatment than other offenses deemed too dangerous for early release. O'Connor challenged government officials to explain the decision to PC Harper's family and colleagues, emphasizing the unique risks faced by police officers and the message it sends about the value placed on their sacrifice.
While Norris stated that excluding 1,000 prisoners convicted of serious sexual offenses had pushed the system to its limits, a government source indicated that the Prime Minister is now willing to examine all options to prevent Cole and Bowers from being released early. The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment regarding the reported discussions about blocking their release.