Families of homicide victims urge government to bar manslaughter offenders from early release

Over thirty bereaved families have sent a letter to Justice Secretary Alex Norris asking that the early-release scheme for prisoners be tightened to exclude all forms of manslaughter. Signatories include Emma Webber, whose son Barnaby and fellow student Grace O'Malley-Kumar were fatally stabbed by Valdo Calocane in Nottingham in June 2023, and other relatives of homicide victims across England and Wales. Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, defended the current policy, saying the government faces “really difficult and unpalatable choices” amid a prison capacity crisis.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled that the government will amend the scheme, following concerns raised by the PC Andrew Harper case. Victims’ advocacy groups such as Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse and Support after Murder and Manslaughter have backed the families, warning that early release of manslaughter offenders threatens public safety and confidence in the justice system. The Ministry of Justice says it is addressing overcrowding by building new prisons, expanding electronic tagging and investing in probation services.