Prisons ‘one major event from disaster’ after U-turn on early release scheme

August 30, 2026 · 5:38 am 2 sources

Image: The Guardian

Coverage

Wires & papers of record

• PC Andrew Harper’s killers will remain in jail as PM makes changes to early release scheme
  The Guardian · August 30, 2026 05:38
  Andy Burnham says ‘hundreds’ of people will remain in prison as part of changes to scheme designed to ease overcrowding PC Andrew Harper’s killers will be excluded from the early release scheme after the prime minister said anyone convicted of unlawful killing would be exempt. Andy Burnham said…
• Prisons ‘one major event from disaster’ after U-turn on early release scheme
  The Guardian · August 30, 2026 18:50
  Critics say the move, which will keep PC Harper’s killers in jail, leaves number of prison spaces ‘too close to the bone’ PC Andrew Harper’s killers will remain behind bars after a critical intervention by Andy Burnham , but the move has led to warnings that overcrowded prisons will be left “one…