Burnham confirms those convicted of manslaughter, death by dangerous driving and indecent assault ineligible for early release
Mr Burnham made the announcement as part of his first Commons address as prime minister
Andy Burnham has announced that those convicted of manslaughter, death by dangerous driving and indecent assault, will be ineligible for early release.
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Andy Burnham has announced that those convicted of manslaughter, death by dangerous driving and indecent assault will be ineligible for early release.
Mr Burnham announced the new measures during his first Commons address as prime minister on Tuesday.
The government previously announced that people convicted of manslaughter, death by drunk or dangerous driving, rape, grooming and historic child sexual offences will now be exempt from the scheme.
“We took an early decision to exempt rape, grooming and serious child sex offences and fast-track work," he said.
He went on: “We are now confirming that anyone convicted of manslaughter, death by dangerous driving, or indecent assault will not now see any change to their prison term."
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Justice Secretary Alex Norris previously told LBC that offenders leaving prison under the Early Release Scheme will not have full freedom on the outside.
He added that the Government is still looking for ways to free up prison spaces.
Speaking to Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, Mr Norris said: “We've got a long way to go yet. This is buying us time and breathing space to build this.
“The Prime Minister has been very clear that he wants 10-year solutions. I'm working on a goal that gets us to sustainable prison capacity 10 years into the future. I wish predecessors 10 years had done that ago, frankly.
"They haven't, but we're going to.”
This comes the week after several incidents of dangerous driving resulted in a string of deaths across the UK and Ireland, prompting calls for government attention.
In Middlesbrough, Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Thomas Clough, 38, died when a Volkswagen Passat travelling the wrong way collided with the police car they were in, also killing all five occupants of the Passat.
Police had been following a Volkswagen Passat which had been suspected of being driven with cloned number plates.
The tragic case prompted widespread media attention, and even saw the King reportedly write a letter to show his support.
Mr Burnham went on to announce that his government would “find additional prison places by deporting more foreign national offenders”, and reforming indefinite IPP (Imprisonment for Public Protection) sentences.
