Burnham’s prison plans could raise risk of mistaken releases, union warns

Concerns raised over proposed changes to early release scheme as probation staff vote to strike over workloads

Andy Burnham’s plan to stop the early release of PC Andrew Harper’s killers and other serious offenders could increase the risk of some more dangerous prisoners being released by mistake, unions have warned.

In another blow to the proposals announced by the prime minister, probation staff have voted overwhelmingly to go on strike, warning of already unrealistic workloads.