The mother of PC Andrew Harper has expressed devastation after learning two of his killers remain eligible for early release under revised government plans aimed at tackling prison overcrowding. Debbie Adlam, PC Harper's mother, told the BBC that the decision felt like "letting Andrew down again" and vowed to continue fighting for justice.

PC Andrew Harper was killed in August 2019 when he was dragged by a car for over a mile down a country road in Berkshire. He was responding to a quad bike theft when he became entangled with the vehicle. Three teenagers were later convicted in connection with his death.

Two of the offenders, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter. Under the revised scheme, which allows prisoners to be eligible for release after serving half their sentence, they could be freed early. The driver of the vehicle, Henry Long, received a 16-year sentence and was not eligible for this scheme.

Justice Secretary Alex Norris reportedly called Adlam to explain the situation and offer an apology. However, Adlam stated she could not "sit back and do nothing" and felt deeply let down by the justice system once more. Lissie Harper, PC Harper's widow, also described the situation as "disgusting" and expressed her anger.

The government announced on Monday that prisoners convicted of rape, grooming, and serious child sex offences would be excluded from the early release scheme for England and Wales. This revision follows significant backlash from survivors and victims' families after the plans were initially paused. The scheme is set to restart in October.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham acknowledged the anger and distress caused by the plans. He stated that while he wished to go further in excluding certain offences, it was not possible without risking the collapse of the prison system. The revised plans also include an additional £10 million for front-line victim support services.

Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg commented that the decision not to exclude PC Harper's killers from the scheme was "demoralising for all police officers." The Sentencing Act was amended in January, shifting the criteria for early release eligibility from the type of offence to the length of the fixed sentence.

This situation highlights the ongoing tension between the need to alleviate prison overcrowding and ensuring justice for victims and their families. The eligibility criteria for early release continue to be a sensitive and contentious issue, particularly in high-profile cases involving the death of public servants.