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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Rajeev Syal Home affairs editor

PM urged not to change scheme to stop PC Andrew Harper killers’ early release

Mugshots of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers
Jessie Cole (left) and Albert Bowers, who were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2020. Photograph: Thames Valley Police/PA

Andy Burnham has been warned that changing the terms of the prisoners’ early release scheme so PC Andrew Harper’s killers are kept behind bars would force another spate of early releases before the next general election.

Prison Service officials have told No 10 that adding an exemption so that those convicted of manslaughter, such as Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, remain in jail would mean further early releases would be needed within 18 months.

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