The mother of Nottingham attacks victim Barnaby Webber, Emma Webber, has joined over 30 families in signing an open letter to the government. The letter urges the government to prevent killers convicted of any form of manslaughter from being released early from prison.
Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates were killed on 13 June 2023 by Valdo Calocane, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and received a hospital order. The families, including BBC commentator John Hunt, whose wife and two daughters were murdered, expressed deep concerns about how early release may apply in homicide cases.
The letter, addressed to Justice Secretary Alex Norris, states that victims are being asked to bear the consequences of the prison capacity crisis. It highlights concerns that some serious domestic homicides result in voluntary manslaughter convictions and that early release for these offenders would be difficult to reconcile with the government's commitment to halve violence against women and girls.
The government has stated it is fast-tracking a plan to keep the most dangerous offenders in prison and is exploring further changes, including faster deportation of foreign criminals. Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, defended the early release scheme, citing difficult choices to address prison overcrowding and prevent a collapse of the criminal justice system. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asked the justice secretary to present a plan for further changes to the early release scheme to parliament next month, with full details expected next week.