Chair calls for killers to be excluded from early prison release

4 August 2026

The chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation has criticised the Government's newly announced Sentencing Act reforms, calling on ministers to rethink proposals that would allow some convicted killers to remain eligible for earlier release.

Responding to the announcement, Luke Mitchell said the Government had rightly recognised that some offenders are too dangerous to benefit from early release.

However, the branch chair has questioned why those convicted of killing police officers - including those responsible for the death of PC Andrew Harper - have not been included among those excluded from the policy.

Luke said: "While the Government has recognised that some offenders are simply too dangerous to benefit from early release, it's shocking to see that those convicted of killing police officers have been left off that list.

"This is deeply disappointing - and news that will impact the entire police family across the nation."

Under the new plans, prisoners convicted of rape, grooming and serious child sexual offences will be excluded from the early release scheme in England and Wales.

According to Justice Secretary Alex Norris, around 5,000 additional prisoners will be released early in 10 phases from October, on top of the approximately 4,500 prisoners who already leave prison each month.

PC Andrew Harper, a Thames Valley Police officer, was killed in August 2019 after being dragged behind a car along a country road while responding to the theft of a quad bike. Three teenagers fled the scene before later being sentenced to a combined total of 42 years' imprisonment.

Release

Two of the offenders responsible for PC Harper's death - Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, who were passengers in the car and were each sentenced to 13 years in 2020 - could be eligible for release after serving just half of their sentences under the new proposals.

Luke added: "Every day, police officers put themselves in harm's way to protect the public. They go to work knowing there is always a risk they may not make it home to their families.

"Tragically, in PC Andrew Harper's case, that unimaginable reality became a devastating truth. The prospect of those responsible for his death being eligible for early release sends the wrong message entirely.

"They killed a police officer in the line of duty. It is impossible to understand how offenders convicted of such a crime can be considered for release after serving only part of their sentence.

Consequences

"This decision risks undermining not only public confidence in the justice system, but also the morale of police officers who put their lives on the line every day. At a time when many officers and their families already feel undervalued, I urge the Government to reconsider these proposals and ensure those who murder police officers face the full consequences of their actions."

Echoing those concerns, Tiff Lynch, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said allowing those who take the life of a police officer to be released earlier risks undermining public confidence in the justice system.

She said the decision would cause further distress to bereaved families and send ‘entirely the wrong message’ about the value placed on those who protect the public.

A petition has been launched to stop the early release of those responsible for PC Harper’s death, which can be signed here.

READ MORE: Fed member reflects on UK Memorial Service.