A sentencing review chief warns that prisons in England and Wales are on track to reach capacity by November. Sir David Gauke, who led the review on sentencing, says jails are “on course to run out of capacity in November” unless an existing early release scheme is maintained. The warning is reported in the context of political disagreement over whether the scheme should be continued or paused. In addition, the report links the issue to current controversy surrounding the early release framework in relation to the killers of PC Andrew Harper, a case that has drawn public and political attention. The article states that the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, pauses the early release scheme amid the wider furore. Across the coverage provided, the central point is Gauke’s warning about imminent pressure on prison capacity and the role early releases may play in preventing overcrowding or operational constraints. The sources also indicate that decisions on early release are being treated as a key lever for managing prison space while balancing public concern about specific cases.