The mother of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in the line of duty in 2019, has spoken out against the government's early prison release scheme, asserting that her son has not received 'proper justice'. Debbie Adlam's comments highlight a growing controversy surrounding the Sentencing Act, a new piece of legislation intended to tackle the ongoing crisis of prison overcrowding in the UK. The act, which is scheduled for full implementation in September, could see thousands of inmates released early, including two of the men involved in her son's death.
PC Harper, 28, died when he was dragged by a car while responding to a quad bike theft in Berkshire. Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the getaway vehicle, were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter. Under the provisions of the Sentencing Act, they could be released after six years. The driver, Henry Long, jailed for 16 years, would not be eligible for early release. Mrs Adlam expressed her family's distress, telling the BBC that the prospect of their early release was 'sprung' upon them and that 'every victim will be feeling the same' sense of injustice.
The debate intensified this week after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a review of the legislation. While acknowledging the 'pressure on prison places' and a historical failure to invest in the system, Mr Burnham stated on Wednesday that he would 'look at it in detail before we go further forward'. This comes despite earlier reports from prison staff suggesting that governors were instructed to halt work on the act's implementation two weeks ago, although the government maintains no decision has been made to delay its introduction.
The Sentencing Act represents the government's attempt to establish a more sustainable solution to prison capacity issues, following an emergency early release scheme introduced by the Labour government in 2024. Unlike the previous measures, the new act notably includes no specific exemptions for prisoners convicted of serious crimes, domestic abuse, or terrorism. Tens of thousands of inmates have already been released under the earlier scheme, exacerbating concerns among victim support groups and the public.
Further concerns have been raised by Domestic Abuse Commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs, who stated that crucial mitigations promised for victims ahead of the act's implementation have not materialised. These include a dedicated helpline and robust risk management procedures. She highlighted that many victims, particularly those whose offenders received shorter sentences, would lack clear channels for support and information when faced with early release notifications, adding to the distress already felt by families like PC Harper's.