Early release scheme could see dangerous criminals released, Conservatives warn

Conservatives have expressed concern that an early release scheme could potentially allow dangerous criminals to be set free, according to shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy. The scheme, announced by the prime minister, aims to alleviate prison overcrowding but Timothy suggested it could inadvertently release another group of high-risk inmates instead.

Timothy's comments came in response to Andy Burnham's decision to narrow the early release criteria to exclude those convicted of manslaughter, following a family's campaign to prevent the release of two men convicted of PC Andrew Harper's manslaughter in 2019. Burnham's move to release some indefinite sentence inmates, known as IPPs, who are already serving life sentences, has been met with mixed reactions.

Prison governors have reported that released individuals are returning to jail at a rapid rate. IPP sentences, given between 2005 and 2012, meant offenders were deemed a significant public safety risk and could be held indefinitely. Only 856 of the 2,271 people serving these sentences have never been released due to parole board concerns.

Timothy acknowledged that the prime minister faces an overcrowding issue not of his own making, stating that building more prison places was a failure of the previous government. The government's priority remains public safety, and Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims, Violence Against Women, and Girls & International Justice, emphasized the need for a functioning criminal justice system.

The scheme, introduced under the Sentencing Act 2026, begins on October 1st, with adjustments to exclude those convicted of manslaughter, rape, and serious child sex offenses. Burnham acknowledged that keeping PC Harper's killers in prison would mean more people remain incarcerated, but argued that the prime minister considered the treatment of IPPs, who had served more than their time, as a matter of common sense.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris is expected to provide further details on the changes to the early release scheme to Parliament on Tuesday.