"What message does this put out?" - Police Federation raises concerns over prisoner early release scheme
”What message does this put out to people who continually commit these crimes?”
Police officers fear early prisoner release is undermining justice, says South Yorkshire Police Federation.
They are concerned that plans to release prisoners early are undermining public confidence in the justice system and putting communities at greater risk, according to local branch chairman Steve Kent.
The comments come after the Government paused its controversial early release scheme for an urgent review.
Mr Kent said officers feel their work is being undone when offenders are released after serving only a small part of their sentence.
He said: “Officers are extremely concerned about the release of prisoners early.
“Some of the individuals have committed serious offences. What message does this put out to people who continually commit these crimes?
“Our officers do their best to put dangerous people behind bars to only see them released after a small fraction of their sentence.
“To add insult to this, those released often go on to reoffend, especially under the belief that they will likely only have to spend weeks in prison if they get caught again.
“The police then get the blame for crime being high, as well as, of course, being blamed for most of society’s ills at the same time.”
Mr Kent said the issue had caused particular anger among officers following the decision that two of the men jailed for the manslaughter of PC Andrew Harper could still be eligible for early release.
PC Harper was killed while performing his duties attending a reported burglary near Sulhamstead, in Berkshire.
He said: “What has caused outrage amongst officers is the early release of the killers of Andrew Harper.
“The sentence initially wasn’t enough in itself. To see those individuals released early really does highlight the way in which successive governments value the sacrifices officers make.
“In the case of PC Harper, he sadly paid the ultimate price.
“Whatever the current anti-police sentiment that seems to be sweeping the country at the moment, there are very few who would have the bravery to put their lives on the line like officers do every day.
“The least they should expect is that people who seriously injure or take the lives of officers are dealt with severely.”
The early release scheme, introduced to ease pressure on overcrowded prisons, was due to expand in September.
However, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has delayed the next phase until October while an urgent review is carried out.
The review was brought forward after widespread criticism from victims’ families and police representatives over the eligibility of some serious offenders under the Sentencing Act 2026.
The Government has already confirmed that rapists, groomers and serious child sex offenders will be excluded if the scheme resumes.
There have also been calls for violent offenders, domestic abusers and terrorists to be exempt.
Among those urging further changes is Rotherham MP Sarah Champion, who warned that releasing high-harm offenders early could put victims at risk and place extra pressure on frontline policing and probation services.