Andy Burnham has blocked grooming gang rapists from upcoming changes to prison sentences as part of a push to protect the public from dangerous criminals.
Mr Burnham, who GB News understands was stopped from going further amid fears of the prison system collapsing, also announced rapists will face tougher community supervision and a new GPS monitoring system.
The changes mean rape and child sexual offences will be added to the exclusions that were already in place for 18,000 offenders, including those who have been found by a court to be the most dangerous or anyone serving a life sentence.
However, the Prime Minister has come under fire after it was revealed two men involved in the 2018 killing of police officer Andrew Harper are still likely to be up for early release.
However, Mr Burnham pushed for more inmates to be barred from early release after hearing concerns from victims.
The Prime Minister said: “Keeping the public safe is my top priority. That’s why I asked for an urgent review of the prisoner release scheme.
“I fully understand the anger, anxiety and distress that’s been caused. I’ve heard that loud and clear.
“That’s why we’re making significant changes: offenders who have been sentenced for rape, serious child sex offences and other grooming offences will be excluded from the changes.”
Andy Burnham adopted new rules as part of changes to the Sentencing Act
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GETTYHe added: “I want to be honest – I wanted to go even further as I know there will still be concerns about other offenders having their sentence shortened.
“But it’s not possible without the prison system reaching capacity and collapsing, which would put public safety at much greater risk.
“That’s why we will also be introducing much tougher community measures. There will be a presumption that all offenders are tagged, longer periods of supervision and tough new rules, including restriction zones for offenders.
“As a country, we haven’t invested in the prison estate when we should have, going back over a decade. This has created an unacceptable situation, with our adult male prisons now at 98 per cent capacity.”
PICTURED: A convict jogs out of jail after being released early in 2024. More than 38,000 criminals have been released onto British streets under the scheme | PA
Mr Burnham continued: “For too long, the problems facing our prison system have been ignored – and it’s the victims who have been paying the price. That is not good enough.
“My Government will deliver the fastest prison-building programme since the Victorian era and do what’s necessary to fix the prison crisis.”
The early release scheme was initially scheduled for September in a bid to ease overcrowding.
Despite the previous release of inmates under Sir Keir Starmer, there were still 86,267 people in prisons across England and Wales in July, equating to around 97 per cent of the whole estate.
The latest early release scheme will now come into force in October amid fears that probation staff need more time to deal with a wave of released convicts.
PC Andrew Harper was dragged by a towrope for over a mile along rural roads, sustaining fatal injuries | PA
Under changes made to the Sentencing Act, 6,000 offenders were set to be released from prison in September after serving just a third of their sentence.
However, Mr Burnham is now introducing a £10million package to assist victims dealing with the early release of criminals.
A new national helpline will also be established and efforts will be made to contact all affected victims to offer information and support.
Changes to the Sentencing Act separately prevent violent inmates from being released early, with a new progression model ending automatic release.
Despite the Ministry of Justice hailing tougher measures, the Tories have accused Labour of failing other victims.
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said: “Labour whipped their MPs to vote to let rapists, paedophiles, and grooming gang perpetrators out of prison early. Now they admit the Conservative campaign to stop this was right – this is a victory for victims.
Prisoners reunite with loved ones following their early release | PA
“But their U-turn doesn’t go far enough. Some child sex offenders and killers, like those responsible for the death of PC Harper, will still be released early. And the trauma of victims being told their abusers may be released can’t be undone.
“One of Andy Burnham’s first acts as prime minister will be to let thousands of criminals – including killers and paedophiles – out early.”
Meanwhile, Reform UK home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf suggested Labour could free up 10,000 prison places by transferring foreign national prisoners to their country of origin – or third countries – to complete their sentences.
Mr Yusuf warned: “This announcement will still result in dangerous and violent offenders being let loose on our streets, and it fails to bring justice to the family of PC Andrew Harper, whose killers remain on track for early release under this disgusting policy.
“The Tories broke our prison system by building just 455 net new prison places to cope with the surge of 6.5 million immigrants they imported into our country. Instead of deporting the 10,000 foreign criminals in our prison system, Labour’s decision to allow offenders out early risks wreaking havoc across the country. They cannot be trusted to fix the mess the Conservatives created in the first place.”
Alex Norris defended the measures taken
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PAHowever, Justice Secretary Alex Norris insisted the Prime Minister opted to change course compared to Sir Keir’s plan to protect victims.
He said: “The Prime Minister and I have reviewed these reforms, listened to the concerns and gone further to protect victims.
“These are decisions no Minister would ever want to take but it is right these sickening crimes are excluded from these reforms.
“Victims will also have access to better support and reassurance that offenders leaving prison face tougher supervision and punishment.”