Prime Minister Andy Burnham has instructed the justice secretary to explore options for preventing the early release of PC Andrew Harper's killers, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole. This comes amid concerns about prison overcrowding and the government's early release scheme, which could see around 5,000 inmates released, including those convicted of serious crimes.
The move follows significant public outcry, with nearly 900,000 signatures on a petition opposing the early release of the two men. The government has yet to clarify how it will differentiate these offenders from others eligible for early release under the current scheme.
Watch for the Justice Secretary's upcoming announcement on how to keep PC Harper's killers in prison. The public's strong response, including nearly 900,000 petition signatures, may influence the government's approach to serious offenders amid prison overcrowding concerns.