Andy Burnham has unveiled a new policy that will prevent individuals convicted of rape, serious child sexual offenses, and grooming from being granted early release from prison. The Prime Minister, who recently halted an early release initiative, expressed a desire to extend the ban to include more offenders but cited concerns about the potential collapse of the prison system.
The Sentencing Act, initially scheduled to take effect in September, was designed to release around 6,000 inmates to alleviate overcrowding issues in prisons following previous government policies. However, upon assuming office, Mr. Burnham paused the program and initiated a review to address public safety risks. In response to victims’ feedback, he announced modifications to the scheme, excluding offenders convicted of specified crimes from early release.
Acknowledging the strained state of the prison system due to long-standing neglect, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for urgent action. He pledged to implement stricter community measures, such as increased electronic monitoring and supervision, to address the crisis effectively.
The decision to review the early release scheme came after public outcry over the potential release of two individuals involved in the killing of PC Andrew Harper. Lissie Harper, the widow of the heroic police officer, criticized the possibility of the offenders being freed within a short timeframe. The latest exemptions declared by the government will not affect the aforementioned individuals.
Furthermore, changes in the Sentencing Act will allow prisoners serving standard determined sentences to be released after completing a third of their term, subject to stringent conditions like curfews and electronic tagging. High-risk and life-sentenced prisoners were already excluded from the early release program.
The government, under the leadership of the new Justice Secretary Alex Norris, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting victims and ensuring that offenders face stricter supervision and penalties upon release. Additionally, the broader implementation of the Sentencing Act has been postponed to October, with plans for increased drug testing and improved monitoring of released offenders.
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