Prison officers’ union chair Mark Fairhurst says the government could create additional prison space to prevent killers from being released early, responding to arguments that such action is not feasible. The comments come amid wider controversy around efforts to block early release of the people convicted over the killing of PC Andrew Harper.
Fairhurst argues that space could be freed up by using alternatives such as bail or tagging for thousands of people who are arrested and waiting for trial. He disputes claims associated with Labour mayor Andy Burnham that constraints make it impossible to stop early release.
Other reporting in the same set of articles frames the issue as ministers disregarding police concerns and emphasizes the impact on officers, including references to accounts from an officer who says he was first on the scene of Harper’s death. Overall, outlets align on Fairhurst’s position that there is practical capacity to reduce overcrowding and limit early releases, though they stress different political and emotional dimensions of the dispute.
