Expected Timeline and Mechanism

Prime Minister Andy Burnham asked Justice Secretary Alex Norris to review the rules. The government is now changing the policy to block early release for anyone convicted of "unlawful act manslaughter"—which means causing a death while doing another illegal act. feel free to email me or whatever, thank you.

The proposed change to block early prison release for individuals convicted of "unlawful act manslaughter" is not yet law, but it is expected to be introduced to Parliament in early September 2026.

Expected Timeline and Mechanism

Early September 2026: Justice Secretary Alex Norris is scheduled to officially present the findings of this policy review to Parliament as soon as it returns from its summer recess.

Fast-Track Changes: To bypass the lengthy process of passing an entirely new Act of Parliament, the government plans to implement this via secondary legislation. This mechanism allows ministers to amend the existing Sentencing Act quickly, meaning the rule change could take effect shortly after it is introduced.

Context of the Rule Change

The review was ordered by Prime Minister Andy Burnham following intense public pressure and campaigns—most notably regarding the case of PC Andrew Harper's killers, who were otherwise due for early release in 2027 under current overcrowding measures. By specifically targeting "unlawful act manslaughter" (where a death is caused during the commission of another illegal act), the government aims to keep serious offenders behind bars while still using the early release scheme to manage prison capacity for lesser offences.

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