Mum of Nottingham attacks victim backs calls to stop killers' early release
Families of homicide victims are petitioning the UK government to exclude manslaughter convictions from the early release scheme designed to alleviate prison overcrowding. They argue that such violent crimes should not be eligible for early release, despite the government's claims of a systemic justice collapse.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between managing severe prison capacity crises and addressing public demands for justice and victim safety.
Image caption, Emma Webber has joined more than 30 families affected by homicide calling for the change to the government's early release scheme
More than 30 families have called on the government to stop killers convicted of any form of manslaughter being released early to ease prison overcrowding in England and Wales.
In a letter to Justice Secretary Alex Norris, the families said they felt victims were "being asked to bear the consequences of the prison capacity crisis".
Signatories include Emma Webber, whose son Barnaby was stabbed to death in the Nottingham attacks in 2023 , and whose killer Valdo Calocane was convicted of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.
Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, defended the early release scheme.
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