About 1,000 fewer prisoners will be released early after Andy Burnham’s intervention to exclude those convicted of rape, serious child sexual offences and grooming from the scheme. Norris told Sky News that he would like to have gone further in blocking early release of some prisoners, but doing so would have caused the prison system to “break down”. Harper’s mother, Debbie Adlam, said her family was “paying the price” after learning her son’s killers remained eligible for early release under the government’s plans to ease prison overcrowding. Henry Long, the main perpetrator, will not be subject to early release. Killers, violent offenders, men who have terrorised their partners and more will all still walk out of prison in October.”