Downing Street has acknowledged the concerning revelation that over 90 inmates have been mistakenly released since April this year, with a new offender possibly on the run. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy disclosed that three prisoners are currently missing after being erroneously set free, and an additional case of potential mistaken release on November 3 is under investigation.
The Ministry of Justice has disclosed that 91 criminals were mistakenly released between April 1 and October 31 this year. A spokesperson from No 10 stated that these incidents highlight the challenges inherited by the government in a strained prison system and failing criminal justice system. While these occurrences are uncommon, they have been increasing annually, from an average of nine per month in 2023 to 17 per month the following year. Immediate actions have been taken, including stricter release checks, consultations with prison governors, and deployment of technology experts.
David Lammy announced a £10 million initiative to implement new AI-powered tools for frontline staff to accurately calculate sentences and upgrade outdated paper-based systems. An urgent independent review has been initiated to investigate the surge in errors. The MoJ highlighted that overwhelmed prison staff are currently navigating through over 500 pages of guidance, increasing the likelihood of mistakes.
The issue of mistaken prisoner releases gained attention following the prominent case of Hadush Kebatu, a deported migrant involved in protests in Epping, Essex.
In a statement to the Commons, David Lammy emphasized the necessity for a radical overhaul of the prison release service and extended an unequivocal apology to victims affected by erroneous releases. He attributed the occurrence of mistakes to an underfunded, understaffed, and overburdened prison system, stressing the need to address the underlying issues contributing to the strain.
Official statistics indicate that around 800 prisoners were mistakenly released during the Conservative government’s tenure, with a gradual increase each year, peaking at 115 in 2023/24. Under the Labour government in 2024/25, the number of incorrect releases surged to 262, partially due to the implementation of Labour’s early release scheme to address the inherited justice system crisis.
David Lammy defended the proposal to release women offenders into the community after it was mistakenly shared with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick via email. He underscored the importance of exploring alternative approaches for women offenders, considering many of them are mothers.
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