Andy Burnham is considering changes to sentencing laws that would prevent child sex offenders from qualifying for early release under planned prison reforms. The move comes as members of Burnham's team examine whether offenders convicted of child sexual crimes can be excluded from the scheme before parts of the Sentencing Act take effect in September, and whether doing so would require fresh primary legislation.
The proposals stem from reforms contained in the Sentencing Act, which received Royal Assent earlier this year as ministers sought to ease severe pressure on England and Wales' overcrowded prison system.
