Yesterday, new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham announced a pause in the plan to release certain prisoners early from September, under Starmer’s Sentencing Act. This pause was thrust into action following strong criticisms from the widow of police officer Andrew Harper, who described the possibility of her husband’s killers being released early as “deplorable”.
History of the Sentencing Act and Early Release Scheme
The Sentencing Act was a part of former Prime Minister Kier Starmer’s plan to ease the overcrowding crisis within the prison system. It was initially introduced in September 2025 and received Royal Assent in January 2026, with the intention of relieving pressure on overloaded UK prisons by releasing offenders at earlier stages of their sentence. Under the Act, some prisoners would have been released after serving one third of their sentence, rather than half.
More serious offenders would have been released after serving half of their sentence, rather than two thirds. The remainder of their sentence would be spent within the community, alongside close monitoring and the possibility of returning to prison for any repeat offences or lack of observed progress towards rehabilitation. The scheme would not have applied to more serious offenders, such as those serving a life sentence or under extensive monitoring.
Burnham’s decision to pause the scheme comes as a result of backlash from victims and their families. It stems particularly from the criticisms of the family of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in 2019 in Berkshire by three teenagers when he was dragged down a country road by a car.
Two of the three offenders would have benefited from the early release scheme from June 2027, upon the introduction of fixed sentences. PC Harper’s mother claimed that this would not give her son “proper justice”, and added that every victim would be feeling the same, shared terror at the thought of prisoners released early. Burnham has since ordered an urgent review of the policy, using the pause to make necessary changes where needed and, according to newly appointed Justice Secretary Alex Norris, provide victims and survivors with “certainty”.
Praises and Criticisms: Early Release Scheme
The pause has been met widely with praise, even from initial supporters of the scheme. Norris previously voted in favour of the act under Starmer’s Government, but has recently stated that the pause was undertaken after “listening to victims”, stating that he hopes to “provide (victims) with certainty as soon as we can”. Survivor of sexual assault, Jade Belgrove, called the pause a “relief”, stating that the “horrific” possibility that her assaulter could have been released earlier made her reconsider stepping forward at all.
Even opposition leaders, such as Kemi Badenoch, welcomed the early release scheme pause, but called for killers and rapists to not ever be eligible under the Sentencing Act. However, that the rapid changes in the lawcouldactually leave some victims in a state of uncertainty over the summer, especially considering that the law has only been halted, rather than abolished entirely.
Some prison guards remain in favour of the scheme, arguing that prisons are too overcrowded, and are uncomfortably close to full capacity. One prison officer told the BBC that prisons were at a “critical point”, emphasising that unless offenders were released by September, there could arise an even more pressing crisis of overpopulation within three months. Other prison guards have opposed this, supporting the focus on victims and public safety.
Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the logistical chaos of keeping prisons as they are, despite the months of preparation ahead of the introduction of the Sentencing Act. Not only victims, but staff are also left uncertain about the future, particularly over the summer, creating a sizeable disruption in managing UK prisons.
Final Thought
Is it a good idea to pause the scheme?
While there are distinct criticisms of the pause in the early prison release scheme, it is generally welcomed.
Throughout wider society, multiple victims have come forward and openly welcomed the pause – from a political standpoint, it helps to show a compassionate side of the new PM that focuses on public sentiment and safety. Although there is some trepidation as to whether these are just “quick wins” that can be used to win over public affection, while the problem of prison overcrowding is put on the back burner until Parliament’s return in September.
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