Children's families back early release review

Families of two children who were killed have urged the new prime minister to overhaul the early prisoner release system.

Andy Burnham has committed to a review of the policy that from September would see thousands of offenders in England and Wales eligible to be released earlier.

It was introduced by Sir Keir Starmer's government to free space in overcrowded jails.

Katherine Errington, whose son Archie York died when their Newcastle home was destroyed in an explosion caused by an illegal drugs lab in the flat below, and Gemma Chappell, great-aunt of Maya Chappell who was shaken by her mother's boyfriend at home in Shotton Colliery, say they hope a review will prioritise the needs of victims.

Drug dealer Reece Galbraith was jailed for 14 years after admitting to manslaughter in connection with the Benwell blast in 2024 that claimed seven-year-old Archie's life along with that of 35-year-old Jason Laws.

Galbraith had been due to become eligible for release on licence after serving two-thirds of his sentence, but Katherine was informed last month he could instead be released at the halfway point of his prison term.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service a change in policy from Labour's new leadership in Downing Street would "mean that victims' families are finally being heard for once".

She added: "Hopefully Andy Burnham is not just thinking about the prisons being full, but about us.

"We have never really been thought of throughout this process.

"It is like the system just expects us to go back to life as normal, but it is not normal because we are always fighting for justice."

Loved ones of murdered Maya were also devastated to recently discover the toddler's mum is another who could be considered for an earlier release.

Dana Carr was sentenced to nine years in jail after being found guilty of child cruelty by neglect and allowing the death of two-year-old Maya, who was violently shaken by Michael Daymond in 2022.

Daymond was jailed for life with a minimum term of 20 years after being convicted of murder.

Gemma Chappell said this week victims had been "let down time and time again" but a review by Burnham and new justice secretary Alex Norris would "show that we can perhaps try and build some trust back".

She added: "If he does go ahead and looks at it, then brilliant.

"It would show that he is putting the victims first and bringing victims back to the forefront.

"That is where they should be, especially when it comes to something as serious as killing a child."

Burnham's comments this week came amid concerns from the family of police officer Andrew Harper over the prospect of two of his killers being potentially eligible for early release.

PC Harper suffered fatal injuries while responding to a quad bike theft in Berkshire in 2019.

Speaking in Bath, Burnham confirmed he had spoken to the new justice secretary and said they would "review the policy together and make further statements in due course".

The prime minister said he wanted to be assured "everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds".

He added: "I can't say that I can change the policy completely, but I will look at it in detail before we go further forward."

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