UK PM excludes manslaughter and indecent assault from early prison release scheme

Unbiased summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced changes to the early prison release scheme, excluding offenders convicted of unlawful killing, including manslaughter and death by dangerous driving, as well as those convicted of indecent assault. The decision follows public backlash over the potential early release of PC Andrew Harper's killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers. The scheme was originally designed to ease prison overcrowding by releasing certain prisoners early. The changes will keep hundreds more people in prison. To create additional prison space, the government plans to deport foreign prisoners and eventually review indefinite sentences known as IPPs, though these measures may take years. The changes will be introduced via secondary legislation next week.

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Coverage by outlet

Morning Star left

Angle Focuses on the exclusion of grooming gang members and links the policy to human rights criticism.

Bias Emphasises that changes exclude grooming gang members and highlights UN criticism of UK human rights violations. Downplays the role of public pressure and PC Harper's family, instead framing it as a government response to loopholes. Uses language like 'backlash' but avoids emotional framing.

Grooming gang members and killers including Pc Harper’s to be kept behind bars under major changes announced by Andy Burnham following a backlash over the scope of the scheme

The Guardian left

Angle Provides context on the prison crisis and warns of potential unintended consequences of the U-turn.

Bias Emphasises the systemic reasons for the early release scheme (prison overcrowding) and includes warnings from critics that the U-turn leaves prisons 'one major event from disaster'. Quotes the Harper family's mixed emotions and highlights qualified support. Omits sensational language and focuses on policy implications and broader reform, presenting a balanced but left-leaning caution.

What is Burnham doing to the early prison release scheme and why?

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

The Independent centre-left

Angle Presents the U-turn as a response to public pressure while championing its own campaign against IPP sentences.

Bias Highlights the prime minister's personal commitment and the exclusion of unlawful killing. Emphasises The Independent's role in campaigning on IPPs, framing the change as part of broader reform. Omits details of the original scheme's scale and any criticism of the policy's impact on prison capacity.

PC Harper’s killers will not be released early from jail, Burnham announces

Daily Mail right

Angle Frames the story as a crisis in criminal justice and criticises the broader early release approach while applauding the specific decision.

Bias Strongly emphasises the re-traumatisation of the Harper family and the failures of the justice system. Criticises the alternative of releasing IPP prisoners, warning of risks to domestic violence victims. Omits the government's rationale for prison overcrowding and presents the U-turn as a result of public outrage rather than policy logic.

Police chief says PC Andrew Harper's family have been 're-traumatised' by having to fight against his killers' release

DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Even though PC Andrew Harper's killers will remain behind bars, releasing other violent thugs to free up prison space is NOT the answer

The Sun right

Angle Claims credit for the U-turn via its petition and criticises the prime minister's delay, while urging action on foreign criminals.

Bias Emphasises its own role in the million-strong petition and portrays Burnham as dithering and forced to act. Uses emotive language ('shameful', 'dither and delay') and focuses on the family's suffering. Omits details of the original scheme's necessity and instead suggests deportation as a simple solution, downplaying practical challenges.

Burnham has FINALLY shown common sense by blocking early release of PC Harper’s killers – but why did it take so long?

‘It’s Justice for Harps,’ say tragic PC Andrew Harper’s family & colleagues after Burnham’s early prison release U-turn