Killers of PC Andrew Harper Reportedly Set to Be Removed From Early Release Scheme

The long-running debate surrounding the early release of prisoners has taken a significant new turn, with reports suggesting that two of the men convicted over the death of PC Andrew Harper could be excluded from the scheme.

The development has renewed attention on the controversial case and on wider questions surrounding the Government’s approach to prisoner release. According to reports, Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole are expected to remain behind bars rather than becoming eligible for early release under the current programme.

The reported change would represent an important development for the family and supporters of PC Harper, who have campaigned for stronger protections and tougher consequences for those convicted of serious crimes against emergency workers.

The issue has also attracted political attention. Andy Burnham had previously pledged to explore every possible option to prevent the two men from benefiting from the early release arrangements. The Government has faced significant pressure over the issue, particularly from members of the police community and people who believe that offenders responsible for serious deaths should not be released earlier than expected.

Earlier this month, however, the Prime Minister stopped short of confirming that offenders convicted of unlawful act manslaughter would specifically be removed from the scheme. When questioned by journalists, he described reports of such a change as speculation.

Instead, the Government ordered a broader examination of the early release policy. The review is being overseen by Justice Secretary Alex Norris and is expected to be made public when Parliament returns from its summer recess in September.

Mr Norris was instructed to consider further measures designed to protect the public while reducing the number of serious offenders who could potentially benefit from early release.

The Justice Secretary has reportedly been asked to develop a strategy that would strengthen public safety and reduce the possibility of high-risk prisoners being released before serving the full period expected under their original sentences.

According to reports, police leaders have subsequently been informed that the Government intends to introduce secondary legislation to amend existing sentencing rules. The proposed legal changes could alter the eligibility criteria for certain offenders and prevent some prisoners from accessing the early release programme.

The Case of PC Andrew Harper

Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole were two of the three men convicted in connection with the death of PC Andrew Harper in 2019.

The tragic incident occurred in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, when Harper was responding to a suspected quad bike theft. During the incident, the police officer became caught in a strap attached to a vehicle as the suspects attempted to flee.

He was dragged along a rural road behind the car, resulting in fatal injuries.

The death of the 28-year-old officer shocked the country and generated widespread public sympathy for his family and colleagues. His widow, Lissie Harper, subsequently became a prominent campaigner for tougher sentences for people convicted of killing emergency workers.

Bowers and Cole were passengers in the vehicle involved in the incident. They were ultimately convicted of unlawful act manslaughter rather than murder.

Under the existing rules of the early release system, the pair could potentially have been released next year after serving approximately half of their 13-year prison sentences.

The prospect of their release has been particularly controversial because of the circumstances surrounding PC Harper’s death and the wider campaign for stronger legal protections for police officers and other emergency personnel.

How the Early Release System Works

The current early release arrangements were introduced by the Labour Government in September 2024 as part of an attempt to address severe overcrowding in prisons.

Under the original system, certain prisoners serving fixed-term sentences could be released after completing 40% of their sentence rather than the previous 50% threshold.

The policy was designed to ease pressure on the prison estate, which had been struggling with limited capacity and an increasing number of inmates.

However, the scheme has attracted criticism from some politicians, victims’ groups and members of the public who fear that reducing the time prisoners spend behind bars could undermine confidence in the justice system.

The legislation has since undergone further changes. The 2026 Sentencing Act, which became law earlier this year, provides for an expansion of the early release arrangements by lowering the eligibility threshold from 40% of a fixed-term sentence to one third.

That potential reduction has intensified the debate over which categories of offenders should qualify.

Since becoming Prime Minister, Mr Burnham has already introduced exclusions affecting certain serious offenders. Rapists and people convicted of child sexual offences have been removed from eligibility under the scheme.

The possible exclusion of those convicted of unlawful act manslaughter would represent another significant restriction.

Unlawful act manslaughter occurs when someone causes another person’s death while carrying out a separate criminal act. Although it differs legally from murder because there is no requirement to prove an intention to kill, the offence can still result in extremely serious consequences when an unlawful act leads directly to someone’s death.

The Harper case has become an especially powerful example in the debate because of the circumstances in which the officer lost his life.

Harper’s Law

Following PC Harper’s death, his family campaigned for changes to the law to ensure that people convicted of killing emergency workers while committing a crime faced significantly tougher punishment.

Their efforts contributed to the introduction of Harper’s Law.

The legislation established a mandatory life sentence for anyone convicted of killing an emergency worker while committing a crime. The law was named in memory of PC Harper and was designed to recognize the particular risks faced by police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency personnel.

The Government has since indicated that it intends to strengthen protections even further.

A Government spokesperson described PC Harper’s death as a horrific crime and said that officials continued to share the anger felt by members of the police community.

The spokesperson also extended sympathy to Harper’s family and friends, emphasizing the continuing impact of the tragedy.

According to the Government, the Prime Minister has instructed the Justice Secretary to examine additional ways of keeping a larger number of the most serious offenders in prison for longer periods. The killers of PC Harper were specifically mentioned among the cases being considered.

The Government also highlighted further changes aimed at protecting emergency workers.

As part of the new approach, anyone convicted of murdering a police officer, prison officer or probation officer could face a presumption in favour of receiving a whole-life order.

A whole-life order is among the most severe sentences available under English and Welsh law and means that the offender is normally expected to remain in prison for the rest of their life, with no automatic opportunity for release.

Wider Questions Over Justice and Public Safety

The developments surrounding Bowers and Cole form part of a much broader debate over how the criminal justice system should balance punishment, rehabilitation and public protection.

Supporters of early release argue that carefully managed reductions in prison populations can help address overcrowding and allow offenders to reintegrate into society under supervision.

Critics, however, argue that serious crimes require sentences that reflect the harm caused to victims and their families. They are particularly concerned when prisoners convicted of offences involving death could potentially leave prison earlier than the public expects.

The case of PC Harper has brought those competing arguments into sharp focus.

For his widow and family, the possibility of the men responsible for his death being released early has understandably been deeply painful. Their campaign has helped ensure that the circumstances surrounding his death continue to influence discussions about sentencing and the treatment of emergency workers.

If the reported legislative changes are implemented, Bowers and Cole would remain in custody rather than benefiting from the current early release provisions.

The Government’s wider review is expected to provide more clarity when Parliament returns in September. Until then, questions remain over exactly how far ministers will go in changing the rules and which categories of offenders will ultimately be excluded.

What is clear is that the Harper case continues to have consequences far beyond the original tragedy. PC Andrew Harper’s death has influenced sentencing policy, strengthened legal protections for emergency workers and become an important part of the national debate over early prisoner release.

For his family, the latest development could represent another step toward ensuring that his death continues to be remembered through meaningful changes to the justice system.

As ministers consider the future of early release, the central challenge will be finding a balance between managing the prison system and maintaining public confidence that the most serious offenders face appropriate consequences for their crimes.