Prison release changes welcomed

A move to block the criminals responsible for the deaths of two North East children from having their prison release brought forward has been welcomed by the region’s leaders, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Daniel Holland.

Andy Burnham confirmed major changes to the Government’s controversial early prison release scheme over the weekend, following weeks of campaigning by victims’ families.

It means that the offenders jailed over the killings of Archie York and Maya Chappell will not be considered to have their prison time reduced.

The Prime Minister announced on Sunday that criminals convicted of all forms of manslaughter and for causing or allowing the death of a child will be excluded from the earlier releases planned to help free up space in overcrowded prisons.

Archie and Maya’s families, their local MPs, the North East mayor, and Newcastle City Council had united in demanding the Government to take action earlier this summer.

Archie was aged seven when he lost his life in the Violet Close explosion in Newcastle’s West End in 2024, caused by an illegal drugs lab being operated in the flat beneath his family home.

Drug dealer Reece Galbraith was sentenced to 14 years behind bars after admitting to manslaughter in connection with the horrific blast.

Maya was just two when she died after being violently shaken by her mother’s boyfriend, Michael Daymond, at her home in Shotton Colliery in 2022. 

Her mother, Dana Carr, was jailed for nine years after being found guilty of child cruelty by neglect and allowing the death of a child.  

Both Galbraith and Carr were among the prisoners who would have potentially been considered for release on licence at an earlier stage of their sentence than originally planned, under the Sentencing Act measures that have caused widespread anger across the UK.

But, after Mr Burnham ordered changes to the scheme, neither will be eligible now.

Mayor Kim McGuinness told the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Tuesday: “For the families of Archie York and Maya Chappell, the pain of losing a child is a life sentence. It was never right that those responsible could be considered for early release. This is a welcome and important change which reflects what victims’ families, campaigners, myself and the public have been calling for. 

“I have long believed that those convicted of the most serious crimes should serve the sentences handed down by the courts, and I welcome the Government’s decision to act. This announcement shows the Prime Minister has listened to the concerns of victims’ families and the wider public.

“My thoughts remain with Archie and Maya’s loved ones today. Their loss is immeasurable, and I hope this change provides some reassurance that their voices have been heard and that lessons have been learned.”

Newcastle Central and West MP Chi Onwurah said she was “grateful to the Prime Minister” for the changes and praised Archie’s family and loved ones who “campaigned bravely for this result”. 

Ms Onwurah had previously met with Archie’s parents, Katherine Errington and Robbie York, and written to the justice secretary on their behalf.

She added: “Archie’s killer will now rightly be serving the years he was given by the court. Labour inherited a prison system where there was literally no room. Urgent action was required. I am glad the PM has recognised that action should not include letting Archie’s killer out early.”

Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist has been working alongside Gemma Chappell, Maya’s great aunt, to raise Carr’s case directly with the Prime Minister.

The Labour MP said: “I am relieved that the concerns of the Chappell family have been heard and action has been taken. Having worked with the family through the summer, contacting ministers to help make their case, I am pleased the government have made this change and that Dana Carr’s release will not be brought forward. The family deserve to know that justice is being served for someone who played such a central role in the death of two-year-old Maya.”

Ahead of delivering a statement on the early release scheme to Parliament on Tuesday, justice secretary Alex Norris insisted that prisons will “still function properly” amid concern over plans to turn laundry rooms and unused spaces into cells.

Some offenders serving indefinite jail sentences, which were abolished in 2012, will be freed and the Government also plans to deport some foreign criminals immediately after sentencing.

He has promised £110 million of investment, in an effort to build 14,000 new prison places by 2031.