The possibility that Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole could be released early after serving part of their 13-year manslaughter sentences triggered a huge public backlash. By August 17, more than one million people had signed a peтιтion calling for the pair to remain in prison — meaning the figure had already pᴀssed the 800,000 mark mentioned in earlier reports.

The controversy intensified in August 2026 as police leaders and Harper’s family urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to intervene. On August 11, a letter signed by 50 senior police leaders, including every chief constable in England and Wales, called for action to prevent the two from benefiting from the early-release scheme.

There was then a striking change in the government’s position. Downing Street had previously said there was no feasible way to exempt just Harper’s killers from the scheme. But Burnham subsequently said he was increasingly confident a solution could be found, ordering the justice secretary to work on measures to create additional prison capacity.

On August 30, the government formally announced that offenders convicted of unlawful k!lling, including manslaughter, would be excluded from the early-release scheme. That means Bowers and Cole will remain in prison rather than receiving an early release under those new rules.

For Harper’s family, the reversal came after weeks of campaigning and intense public pressure. It does not undo the tragedy of 2019, but it represents a significant change from the position that initially left them fearing the two men could return to the community earlier than expected. 💙

SOURCES:
ITV News — Peтιтion pᴀsses one million signatures