Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, said Thursday that he has paused an early-release scheme for prisoners [1].

The decision follows significant public anger and pressure from victims' groups, who argue that releasing offenders early would be unjust. The move comes specifically amid fury regarding the killing of PC Andrew Harper [2].

The program was scheduled to begin in September 2026 [3]. Under the original plan, approximately 6,000 prisoners across England and Wales were slated for early release [4].

Burnham said the pause is necessary to allow for a review of the policy. While some reports suggest the scheme may still proceed after the evaluation [5], other sources indicate that no prisoners will be released until the review is complete [6].

The controversy centers on the balance between managing prison populations and ensuring justice for victims of violent crime. The outcry from the public and victims' groups has forced a reconsideration of the timeline, and the criteria for who qualifies for early release [2].

Burnham said the announcement on July 23, 2026 [7]. The pause halts a process that would have seen thousands of inmates return to their communities within two months.

“Andy Burnham said that the planned early release of about 6,000 prisoners will be paused.”

This pause reflects a tension between the operational necessity of reducing prison overcrowding and the political necessity of maintaining public confidence in the justice system. By halting the September rollout, the administration is attempting to mitigate a political backlash while auditing the safety and ethical implications of the release criteria.