The widow of PC Andrew Harper has described the possible early release of prisoners as "deplorable", following reports that two of his killers could be freed early.
Lissie Harper said politicians were "making decisions from behind a desk that will have real and lasting consequences" for the families of victims.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham earlier said he would review the Sentencing Act policy that from September would see thousands of offenders in England and Wales eligible to be released earlier.
Speaking on Wednesday, Burnham said: "I can't say that I can change the policy completely, but I will look at it in detail before we go further forward."
He acknowledged that there was "pressure on prisons places" and that a failure to invest in the prison system in the past had created "an unacceptable situation".
Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were sentenced to 13 years in custody for manslaughter but could be released early under the new Sentencing Act.
PC Harper was killed after he was dragged to his death behind their getaway car. The car's driver, Henry Long, was jailed for 16 years for manslaughter but would not be eligible for early release.
Burnham's comments came after the mother of police officer Andrew Harper said the potential early release of two of her son's killers felt like an "insult".
In a separate statement released later on Wednesday, PC Harper's widow Lissie Harper said: "It has taken me years to rebuild a life that was torn apart in a matter of moments. Years to pick up the pieces left behind by three men whose actions robbed Andrew of his life and stole our future.
"It is deplorable to me that we have reached a point where releasing prisoners early is even considered acceptable. We speak of justice, accountability and standing with victims, yet decisions like this do the opposite."
The overcrowding of the prison estate has been a problem for several years and successive governments have released prisoners early in a bid to free up space.
Tens of thousands of inmates have been let out of prison to create more space in jails since 2024.
The Sentencing Act, which was passed by Sir Keir Starmer's government earlier this year, was designed to ease pressure on prisons, and will see some offenders spend less time in prison before release.
Burnham said: "I want to assure myself that everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds, and I can give that assurance that every single part of this I will look into with the justice secretary."
Concerning the case of PC Harper, he said: "I feel for the family it's an appalling crime that was committed."
He said the "main perpetrator" of his death would not be eligible for early release.
Burnham also said it was not acceptable to joke about early releases and that it was right Defence Secretary Wes Streeting had apologised for comments he made that were caught on camera.

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