Chaos over prison early release as scheme 'still set to go ahead in September' despite Andy Burnham ordering a review after condemnation by killed policeman's widow

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 10:32, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 10:37, 23 July 2026 The Government's prison early release scheme is mired in chaos amid expectations it will still go ahead in September - despite Andy Burnham ordering a review. The Prime Minister said he would 'look at' the scheme 'in detail' before proceeding, amid outrage over the possible early release of two of PC Andrew Harper's killers. Lissie Harper, the widow of PC Harper, said it was 'deplorable' that Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers might now be eligible to be released from prison halfway through their 13-year sentences. Under the new Sentencing Act, set to come into force in September, some 6,000 criminals are set to be released under the early prison release scheme. The Government has so far failed to rule out whether killers, rapists and paedophiles will be exempt from the scheme. Downing Street sources declined to outline the specifics of the review ordered by Mr Burnham, but said - as it stands - the scheme is still set to go ahead in September. Emma Reynolds, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, also failed to rule out the scheme still proceeding later this year. 'The PM said yesterday that he wants to look at the implementation of this policy,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Asked if that means it might not happen, Ms Reynolds said: 'That is something that he (Mr Burnham) and the Justice Secretary (Alex Norris) will set out in the coming weeks.'  The Government's prisoner early release scheme is mired in chaos amid expectations it will still go ahead in September - despite Andy Burnham ordering a review The Prime Minister said he would 'look at' the scheme 'in detail' before proceeding, amid outrage over the possible early release of two of the killers of PC Andrew Harper (pictured) Cole and Bowers were handed 13 years in custody for manslaughter after a trial into PC Harper's death at the Old Bailey in 2020.  The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed Cole and Bowers might be eligible to be released from prison halfway through their sentences. PC Harper was 28 when he sustained fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019. He died after getting caught in a strap attached to the back of a car and dragged down a country road as three teenage suspects fled the scene of the burglary. Cole and Bowers, who were passengers in the car, were both 17 years old at the time. The driver of the vehicle which caused PC Harper's death, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence, and will not be eligible for the early release scheme. Mrs Harper on Wednesday piled pressure on Mr Burnham to rethink the policy as she said it is 'deplorable' that two of her late husband's killers are being considered for early release.  Mrs Harper, who was married for just 28 days before PC Harper's death, said that politicians are 'making decisions from behind a desk that will have real and lasting consequences' for the families of victims.  Debbie Adlam, the mother of PC Harper, said it feels like an 'insult' that two of her son's killers may be eligible for early release from prison. Mr Burnham said on Wednesday: 'All I can say is I will review the whole of this policy. Nobody can deny the pressure on prison places. 'We did not invest in the prison estate when we should as a country, going back a decade or so ago, when it was clear that there was going to be pressure. 'That has created an unacceptable situation now. But I want to assure myself that everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds, and I can give that assurance that every single part of this I will look into with the Justice Secretary. 'I can't say that I can't change the policy completely, but I will look at it in detail before we go further forward.' The Ministry of Justice has confirmed Jessie Cole, left, and Albert Bowers might be eligible to be released from prison half-way through their sentences PC Harper and Lissie Harper were married just four weeks before the Thames Valley Police officer was killed in 2019  The PM was also forced to rebuke his Cabinet ministers for joking about Labour letting prisoners out. Mr Burnham branded it 'unacceptable' for Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to quip about Mr Norris wanting to 'let them all out'. It came after Mr Streeting said he was 'sorry for any offence inadvertently caused' for his remarks to Mr Norris. Ms Mahmood also said there was 'no ill intent' about the 'ribbing' of the Justice Secretary, which was caught on camera in a 'hot mic' moment. In the overheard comments, Mr Streeting suggested to Ms Mahmood that Mr Norris was 'the enemy now' and 'wants to let them all out', with the Home Secretary seen laughing at Mr Streeting's remarks. PC Harper responded to the quad bike call just hours after he had been due to clock off and begin his honeymoon with wife Lissie. After her husband's death, she campaigned for legal changes to see harsher sentences for the manslaughter of emergency workers on duty. Harper's Law was among the new measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act. The move extends mandatory life sentences to anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty including police, prison officers, firefighters and paramedics. It is not retrospective, meaning PC Harper's killers cannot have their sentences extended.