The Conservatives are demanding that Andy Burnham introduce emergency legislation to halt the early release of serious offenders, including convicted paedophiles and rapists, from prison.
The scheme, which allows some inmates to be released after serving a third of their sentence rather than half, was paused last week by the Prime Minister.
This decision followed concerns raised by the family of police officer Andrew Harper, whose killers were reportedly being considered for early release.
The changes, introduced under the Sentencing Act, were intended to ease prison overcrowding and could see approximately 6,000 offenders released in September.
Reports suggesting that killers, rapists, and sex offenders could be among those released have drawn widespread criticism.
Responding to the controversy, Mr Burnham stated: "No prisoners will be let out under this policy until we have conducted an urgent review and done everything we can to minimise risk to the public."
His housing minister, Sally Jameson, indicated the review is expected to report back within "the coming days and weeks".
However, the Tories argue that the review does not go far enough, insisting that a change in law is necessary to prevent the release of dangerous individuals.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: "Andy Burnham must prove he is serious by acting now to stop Labour’s early release scheme. Instead, in an echo of Starmer, he has announced another Government review. It’s not good enough. Without emergency legislation, dangerous violent and sexual offenders will be released at the start of September. The Conservatives have fought this dangerous scheme from day one. It’s all well and good cutting bills and bus fares, but that pales into insignificance when paedophiles and rapists are about to be let out on our streets. Burnham needs to show us he’s ready to take the tough decisions."
Pc Harper, 28, tragically died in August 2019 while responding to a quad bike theft in Sulhamstead, Berkshire.
His mother, Debbie Adlam, welcomed Mr Burnham’s decision to pause the early releases but called for permanent changes to the scheme.
While Henry Long, the driver of the vehicle that caused Pc Harper’s death, received a 16-year sentence and would not have been eligible, passengers Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, sentenced to 13 years for manslaughter, could have become eligible for release after serving half their terms.
Mrs Badenoch is scheduled to hold a press conference in London on Tuesday, where she will advocate for action alongside victims.
Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy added: "Labour’s early release scheme is catastrophic. Victims should not have to live in fear all summer waiting for a review.
The clock is ticking. Thousands of rapists, paedophiles, and other serious criminals are set to be released in September. Labour must act now and stop the mass release of dangerous criminals."
A Labour Party spokesperson countered the criticism, stating: "The Conservatives have some nerve. During their 14 years in office, they shut 23 prisons, created just 482 jail places, and granted early release to 10,000 prisoners – leaving the criminal justice system teetering on the verge of collapse. It’s this Government that is fixing the Tories’ mess. We have already delivered over 3,000 prison places and we’re investing billions to deliver thousands more."
