CAMPAIGNERS warned the government on Tuesday that its early release scheme will only buy it “a little time” before the system runs out of cells again.

The Howard League for Prison Reform said plans to release some 5,000 inmates early under sentencing changes to tackle overcrowded jails will do “nothing to head off future challenges.”

Justice Secretary Alex Norris apologised to the family of PC Andrew Harper on Tuesday as two of his killers remain eligible for early release, acknowledging the decision had “created harm.”

The government revised plans down from 6,000 inmates to be released, after ministers excluded rapists and child sex offenders from the scheme.

Two of PC Harper’s killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, remain eligible for early release after their 2020 convictions for manslaughter despite outcry from the officer’s family which prompted a review of the early release scheme.

Howard League chief executive Andrea Coomber KC said: “It’s important to recognise that this government is making some effort to address the capacity crisis it inherited, but even before Andy Burnham pressed pause on the changes due to come in next month, the measures in the Sentencing Act only bought the government a little time before the system will once again run out of cells.

“Against that parlous backdrop, the changes announced this evening ease a little of the immediate political pressure on ministers, but do nothing to head off future challenges.”

Justice legal charity chief executive Fiona Rutherford said: “Victims and the wider public deserve clarity about when offenders will be released.

“The government rightly recognises that the crisis in our prisons cannot continue. Emergency measures with safeguards are therefore necessary to ensure police can still make arrests and that justice does not grind to a halt.”