Prisoner Release

View all Prisoner Release stories →

On 30 August 2026, UK television news reported that Prime Minister Andy Burnham had confirmed changes to the government's prisoner early release scheme, ensuring that two of the killers of PC Andrew Harper would remain in prison. The changes exclude those convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter, from early release in England and Wales. The scheme, introduced to ease prison overcrowding, had faced public pressure and a petition with over a million signatures. The government said the changes would keep hundreds more prisoners behind bars, and planned to free up space by deporting more foreign criminals, creating new prison cells, and ending indeterminate sentences for public protection. The Conservatives accused Burnham of changing his position weekly and called for more parliamentary scrutiny. Full details are expected when MPs return to the Commons next week. Some victims' groups welcomed the move, while others expressed concerns about remaining gaps, including domestic abusers still being eligible for release.

Key Claims by Channel

Wednesday 22 July 2026

Claim
Widely reported · 5 or more of 6 channels
Albert Bowers and Jesse Cole, convicted of manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper, were eligible for early release under the government's prison overcrowding scheme.	Reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by GB News	Reported by ITV
The early release scheme allows prisoners to be released after serving half of their sentence instead of two-thirds.	Reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One		Not reported by GB News	Reported by ITV
Reported by a few · 2–4 channels
The government said without decisive action prisons will run out of space, leaving nowhere for serious offenders.	Not reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV
Ministers Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood were caught on a hot mic joking about the early release scheme.	Reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Prime Minister said the early prisoner release scheme could be reviewed after concerns from PC Harper's family.	Reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One			Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
PC Harper's mother called the potential early release an insult.	Reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Only on one channel
Around 6,000 criminals could be freed early under the scheme.	Not reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Harper's law is not retrospective, so PC Harper's killers cannot have their sentences extended.	Not reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
PC Andrew Harper's widow Lissy Harper called the prospect of early release deplorable and plans to mount a legal challenge.	Reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
In Labour's first year in office, some 40,000 convicts were released early.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News

Thursday 23 July 2026

Claim
Widely reported · 6 or more of 7 channels
Albert Bowers and Jesse Cole, convicted of manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper, were eligible for early release under the government's prison overcrowding scheme.	Reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC News		Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by GB News	Reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
Reported by a few · 2–5 channels
The Sentencing Act passed in 2026 reduced the proportion of sentence served in prison from 40% or 50% to 33% for some offenders.	Reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
Around 6,000 criminals could be freed early under the scheme.	Not reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC News		Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
The early release scheme will see hundreds of inmates released early from September, including some convicted of serious sexual offences.	Not reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC News		Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
PC Andrew Harper's widow Lissy Harper called the prospect of early release deplorable and plans to mount a legal challenge.	Reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a review of the early release policy.	Not reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
The early release scheme is intended to ease prison overcrowding.	Not reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
The Prime Minister ordered a pause to the early release scheme.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Channel 4	Reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Only on one channel
The government said without decisive action prisons will run out of space, leaving nowhere for serious offenders.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
Ministers Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood were caught on a hot mic joking about the early release scheme.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Prime Minister said the early prisoner release scheme could be reviewed after concerns from PC Harper's family.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
PC Andrew Harper's mother said she felt her son had not been given proper justice.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Tens of thousands of inmates have been released early since 2024.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Concerns were raised about the effect of early release on victims of domestic abuse.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
A victim of child sexual abuse, Katie, expressed worry that her abuser could be released earlier than expected.	Not reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Government sources said any pause to the early release plan would be operational only and would not delay the September changes.	Not reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
In Labour's first year in office, some 40,000 convicts were released early.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News

Tuesday 4 August 2026

Claim
Widely reported · 5 or more of 6 channels
Albert Bowers and Jesse Cole, convicted of manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper, were eligible for early release under the government's prison overcrowding scheme.		Reported by BBC One	Reported by Channel 4	Reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
Prime Minister said the early prisoner release scheme could be reviewed after concerns from PC Harper's family.	Reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One	Reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
Reported by a few · 2–4 channels
PC Harper's mother said she feels her son's killers are laughing at her.	Reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News		Not reported by Sky News
PC Andrew Harper's widow Lissy Harper called the prospect of early release deplorable and plans to mount a legal challenge.	Reported by Channel 5	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4		Reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Only on one channel
Ministers Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood were caught on a hot mic joking about the early release scheme.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
The Prime Minister ordered a pause to the early release scheme.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
The Ministry of Justice said the government is building prison places at the fastest rate since the Victorian era.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
Domestic abusers are set to be released early under the scheme, with 9,300 reportedly eligible.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4		Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Labour MP Sarah Champion wrote to Andy Burnham warning that victims remain in a state of fear and limbo.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4		Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
The early release scheme excludes prisoners convicted of rape, grooming, and serious child sex offences.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
The start of the early release scheme has been delayed to early October to allow probation services to prepare.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
The Chief Inspector of Probation emphasized the need for electronic monitoring, victim engagement, and proper resourcing for probation to manage releases.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News

Tuesday 11 August 2026

Claim
Widely reported · 4 or more of 5 channels
Police chiefs sent a letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to block the early release of PC Harper's killers.	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4		Reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
Reported by a few · 2–3 channels
The Prime Minister asked the Justice Secretary to find a way to keep the killers in jail.			Not reported by GB News		Not reported by Sky News
Probation officers voted in favour of potential strike action over early release.	Not reported by BBC One			Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
The government is considering options to block early release for a category of prisoners, such as those serving longer manslaughter sentences.		Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News		Not reported by Sky News
The government was accused of inconsistency and U-turns over the early release of PC Harper's killers.	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News		Not reported by Sky News
Only on one channel
Albert Bowers and Jesse Cole, convicted of manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper, were eligible for early release under the government's prison overcrowding scheme.	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4		Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
PC Harper's mother said the fight continues until the release is blocked.	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
The Guardian reported that the plan to keep the killers in jail could backfire, warning of increased risk of inmates being released by mistake.	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Another family affected by death by dangerous driving expressed concern about early release.	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by Channel 4	Not reported by GB News	Reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News

Saturday 29 August 2026

Claim
Widely reported · 4 or more of 5 channels
Thirty families signed a letter to the Justice Secretary demanding all manslaughter convictions be excluded from the early release scheme.	Reported by Channel 5
Only on one channel
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that prison capacity work will allow a reduction in early release, including for the killers of PC Andrew Harper.	Not reported by Channel 5		Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
The government is considering excluding unlawful act manslaughter from the early release scheme.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV
The early release scheme allows release after a third of a sentence is served.	Not reported by Channel 5		Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Calocane is serving a hospital order after being convicted of manslaughter by diminished responsibility.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by GB News		Not reported by Sky News
Support charities fear the government could exclude only involuntary manslaughter from the early release ban.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by GB News		Not reported by Sky News
The letter referenced the death of PC Harper and argued that if unlawful act manslaughter is excluded, voluntary manslaughter should also be excluded.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Not reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Reported by Sky News
The government already excludes murder, rape, and serious child sexual abuse from the early release scheme.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Emma Webber, a signatory, criticised the proposed early release for manslaughter offenders as morally bankrupt.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by GB News	Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Emma Webber said she had not received a response from Alex Norris despite writing twice, but had been told he would be in touch.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One		Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News
Emma Webber claimed that 90% of offenders with cases similar to Valdo Calocane in the hospital system are released within ten years.	Not reported by Channel 5	Not reported by BBC One		Not reported by ITV	Not reported by Sky News

Sunday 30 August 2026

Claim
Reported by all 3 channels
The Prime Minister confirmed that two of the killers of PC Andrew Harper will remain in prison.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
The early release changes exclude people convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter, in England and Wales.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
The early release scheme was introduced to ease prison overcrowding.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
The government stated the changes will keep hundreds more prisoners in custody.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
The government plans to deport more foreign criminals, create new prison cells, and end indeterminate prison sentences for public protection to free up space.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
Reported by a few · 2 channels
The Conservative Party accused Andy Burnham of repeatedly changing his position on the scheme and called for greater parliamentary scrutiny.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Sky News
A petition with over a million signatures contributed to public outcry.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Sky News
Full details of the changes are expected when MPs return to the Commons next week.	Reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Sky News
Only on one channel
The Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales said the announcement brings relief to some families, but others face an agonizing wait over the bank holiday while seeking answers about their safety.	Not reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Sky News
The Domestic Abuse Commissioner expressed concern that domestic abusers would still be released.	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
The Prime Minister said he wanted to go further but had pushed the system to its limits without risking prison collapse.	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
The Justice Secretary will face questions from MPs on Tuesday.	Not reported by BBC News	Reported by BBC One	Not reported by Sky News
The early release scheme was approved in January after the Sentencing Act 2026 became law, and is scheduled to start in autumn.	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
Last month, the Victims' Commissioner and Domestic Abuse Commissioner urged ministers to delay the scheme.	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
The Prime Minister ordered an urgent review and said no prisoners would be released under the policy during the review.	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
On 3 August, the government announced that prisoners convicted of rape, serious child sex offences, and grooming offences would be excluded from early release.	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News
The following day, the Prime Minister said he was confident the scheme could be changed and asked the Justice Secretary to find a way.	Not reported by BBC News	Not reported by BBC One	Reported by Sky News

This is a cross-channel consensus summary, not an objective account. Consensus can be uniformly wrong, or omit what only one channel covered.