"No prisoners to be let out before review," says Prime Minister Andy Burnham as he pauses early release scheme
“No prisoners will be let out under this policy until we have conducted an urgent review”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says no prisoners will be let out early until a review of the early release scheme is carried out.
As preparations for the scheme were carried out, ahead of its planned launch in September, some victims of crime received letters informing them that some offenders could be freed earlier than expected.
Rotherham grooming gang victims Sammy Woodhouse and Sarah Wilson were among those contacted.
The scheme forms part of the Sentencing Act 2026, which was passed by the Keir Starmer Government earlier this year in a bid to reduce the pressure on the country’s overloaded prison system.
Mr Burnham said yesterday, the third day of his premiership, that he wanted to make sure “everything has been looked at” before the scheme went ahead.
In a further update this afternoon (Thursday, July 23, 2026), the new Prime Minister has now said that until the urgent review has been carried out, no prisoners considered for an early release under the scheme will be let out.
He said: “Keeping the public safe will always be my top priority.
“I am working closely with the new justice secretary and have instructed my team to put a pause on the changes that were due to start in September.
“No prisoners will be let out under this policy until we have conducted an urgent review and done everything we can to minimise risk to the public.
“Where changes are needed, we will not hesitate to make them.”
Under the plans, which had been due to come into effect in early September, a number of prisoners convicted of serious crimes, some of whom are killers, sex offenders and rapists, have been considered for release at the half-way stage.
Previously, such offenders had been required to serve at least two-thirds of their sentence.
Earlier this month, Rotherham abuse survivors Sarah and Sammy - both of whom have previously waived their right to anonymity - expressed their concerns over the plans.
Both women said the prospect of their abusers being released had led them to fear for their safety, with Sammy branding the plans “absolute insanity.”
“If this new law goes through, I’ll have fought longer for justice than they’ll have served in prison,” said Sarah.
The scheme has attracted widespread criticism from survivors and campaigners in recent weeks.
It has come under yet more scrutiny yesterday after the mother of a police officer killed in the line of duty said she has now learned the scheme could see two people serving time for his mansalughter freed early.
Police Constable Andrew Harper was killed aged 28 when Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole fastened him to the back of a car, and dragged him down a country road in Berkshire for more than a mile.
In an interview with The Telegraph, PC Harper's mother Debbie Adlam said she had received a letter from the MoJ confirming their sentences might be reduced, describing the plan as an “insult.”
Rotherham MP Sarah Champion said: “I’m pleased and relieved that the Prime Minister has paused early release of prisoners.
"The Government should now go back to the drawing board and ensure that perpetrators of the worst crimes are not able to benefit from a lack of capacity in our prison system.
“There needs to be the same exemptions on sex offenders, child abusers, violent offenders and those guilty of domestic abuse as were in place previously.
“'The potential early release of perpetrators of child sexual abuse in Rotherham is shocking.
“'These vile criminals ruined countless lives.
"The very least their victims should be able to expect is justice, and that the time abusers spend behind bars is some reflection of seriousness of their crimes.
“Victims and survivors need to be at the heart of this early release scheme review. What protections will be put in place for them?
“Are the resources in place?
“Do the police, probation, and victim's services have the capacity and capability to manage offenders?“Ultimately, this is about public safety.
“Without consistent rehabilitation schemes in prisons, how are victims and survivors, and indeed the public, meant to feel secure if these abusive prisoners are released early?”