Andy Burnham has announced a pause to a controversial scheme that would have allowed thousands of prisoners in England and Wales to be released early. The Sentencing Act, originally set to take effect in September, has been halted pending an urgent review.

The decision comes after significant backlash from victims and their families, who expressed concerns about the implications of offenders serving reduced sentences. The scheme aimed to alleviate overcrowding in the prison system by allowing some inmates to be released after serving a third of their sentence, rather than half.

Key details of the paused scheme revealed that under-sentenced offenders would spend the remainder of their time in the community under supervision, with the possibility of returning to prison if they reoffended. More serious offenders would have been released after serving half their sentence, instead of the previously mandated two-thirds.

The pause is intended to provide victims and survivors with certainty and allow the government to ensure the policy's implementation is handled correctly. Justice Secretary Alex Norris stated that a review would also examine the information provided to victims and their families as part of the early release process.

The family of PC Andrew Harper, who was killed in 2019, were among the most vocal critics. His widow described the potential early release of his killers as "deplorable," highlighting the emotional toll such decisions can have on those affected by crime. PC Harper's mother echoed these sentiments, stating her son had not received proper justice and that victims would feel similarly about the early release plans.

Approximately 700 prisoners were expected to be released in early September under the initial plan. The Sentencing Act, supported by the government, has faced opposition from various groups, including victims' advocates and political parties, who argue it does not adequately consider the impact on those affected by serious crimes.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris acknowledged that the government had "heard from victims and survivors" and understood their concerns regarding the implementation of the Sentencing Act. He emphasized the importance of ensuring victims receive appropriate information before any prisoner is released, suggesting this was a critical element requiring careful consideration.

While the exact timeline for the review remains unclear, Burnham stated that "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." He added that necessary changes would be made if required, signaling a commitment to addressing the concerns raised.