PM Pauses Sex Offender Early Release Scheme

An abuse survivor has handed a petition to 10 Downing Street, calling for the exclusion of sex offenders from a government early release scheme. The petition, bearing over 100,000 signatures, was delivered by Jade Belgrove, 30, who waived her anonymity to campaign against the policy. Ms Belgrove stated that the man convicted of raping her at age 14 could have been released two years early under the original plan.

Concerns Over Sentencing Act 2026

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The petition urges Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reconsider provisions within the Sentencing Act 2026. Campaigners argue that the legislation could lead to the early release of individuals convicted of rape, paedophilia, and domestic abuse. Survivors were informed via the victim contact scheme by the end of August if their perpetrators might be released as early as September. The scheme was intended to release around 6,000 prisoners after they had served a third of their sentence, rather than the usual half, as a measure to address prison overcrowding, which was reported to be at 99 per cent capacity.

The government was prompted to pause the early release plan following public outcry, particularly after news emerged that two individuals convicted of the murder of PC Andrew Harper could be eligible for early release under the scheme. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for emergency legislative changes to prevent the early release of serious offenders.

“Keeping the public safe will always be my top priority. I am working closely with the new Justice Secretary and have instructed my team to put a pause on the changes that were due to start in September.”

Andy Burnham, Prime Minister

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In response to the petition and widespread concern, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a pause on the early release changes. He stated that no prisoners would be released under this policy until an urgent review is completed to minimise risks to the public. Mr Burnham indicated that necessary changes would be implemented if required.

Survivor's Plea for Justice

Ms Belgrove, in a letter to the Prime Minister, emphasised that excluding sex offenders and domestic abusers from the scheme is a matter of public safety and justice for victims. She highlighted the long-term impact of such crimes, affecting mental health, relationships, and personal safety. Ms Belgrove also warned that a decline in survivor confidence could lead to reduced reporting and cooperation with investigations, eroding trust in institutions. She stated that victims and survivors should not be expected to accept increased risk or diminished confidence due to insufficient prison capacity.

Next Steps

The early release scheme has been paused pending a comprehensive review. The outcome of this review will determine whether any modifications to the policy will be made, with a focus on ensuring public safety and maintaining confidence in the justice system.