Burnham Says 2 PC Harper Killers Can Be Barred From 5,000-Prisoner Early Release
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 12
Burnham Says 2 PC Harper Killers Can Be Barred From 5,000-Prisoner Early Release
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 12
Summary
Andy Burnham said he is now confident Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers can be excluded from the October early-release plan after ordering the justice secretary to find a lawful route.
The intervention followed a backlash after Downing Street had warned it could not carve out "one or two offenders," and 50 police chiefs urged Burnham to use every legal option to block the pair's release.
The wider scheme will free 5,000 offenders to ease prison overcrowding, but probation chief inspector Martin Jones warned overstretched staff could miss risks that lead to serious sexual or violent offences or even murder.
Probation services are already handling 258,000 cases, caseloads have risen 8% in two years, and staffing stood 1,556 below target in March despite a £700 million government investment and 1,389 trainee recruits.