Story perspectives

Burnham Exempts Prisoners From Release, Fast-Tracks Lockups Plan

8/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced prisoners are exempt from release, despite criticism that PC Andrew Harper’s killers qualify.
On August 3 Burnham wrote he was confident the Harper killers could be excluded.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said safety is a priority and are fast-tracking a plan to keep offenders incarcerated.
The Ministry added murderers, life-sentence prisoners and convicted of rape, sexual abuse and grooming are excluded from early release.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced prisoners are exempt from release, despite criticism that PC Andrew Harper’s killers qualify.
On August 3 Burnham wrote he was confident the Harper killers could be excluded.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said safety is a priority and are fast-tracking a plan to keep offenders incarcerated.
The Ministry added murderers, life-sentence prisoners and convicted of rape, sexual abuse and grooming are excluded from early release.