PC Andrew Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, has expressed her outrage upon receiving a letter from the Ministry of Justice warning that two of her son's killers could be freed under a new programme aimed at reducing prison overcrowding.
The programme, set to begin in September, will see over 5,000 offenders released over the following 10 months to free up prison space. Some serious offenders will be released after serving half their jail time if they have not committed serious disciplinary breaches in prison, while those convicted of less serious offences could be freed after serving just a third of their sentence.
Adlam said she felt 'sick' upon receiving the letter, stating that her son's life 'doesn't get to come back.' She criticized the programme, saying it allows people to 'get a free pass for crime.' The third man involved in PC Harper's death, driver Henry Long, was jailed for 16 years and is not eligible for the scheme.
The Police Federation for England and Wales has also criticized the prospect of the two killers' early release, calling it 'disgusting.' Deputy national chair Brian Booth said that police officers from across the country will be 'utterly sickened' by the prospect of Bowers and Cole being back on the streets so soon.
Following her husband's death, PC Harper's widow Lissie Harper campaigned for harsher sentences for the manslaughter of emergency workers on duty. Harper's Law introduced mandatory life sentences for anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty.
An Ministry of Justice spokesman said that the government is committed to public safety and is taking the difficult decisions needed to lock up the most dangerous offenders. However, the programme's eligibility criteria have raised concerns among critics.
