Government Faces Criticism After Multiple Prisoners Released in Error
Hadush Kebatu, a migrant sex offender convicted of sexual assault in Essex, was mistakenly released from prison and subsequently deported. This incident is part of a larger issue, with two more prisoners reported to have been released in error during the week prior to the report.
Government figures reveal that 262 prisoners were released in error in the year leading up to March, marking a 128% increase from 115 in the previous 12 months. Justice Secretary David Lammy acknowledged ongoing failures in preventing accidental releases but stated that release checks are the strongest ever.
Lammy also mentioned that officials were working through the night to return Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old Algerian sex offender, to prison following his mistaken release. Kaddour-Cherif had arrived legally in the UK, but his visa later expired, indicating he was not necessarily an asylum seeker.
The situation has drawn criticism from opposition parties. The Conservative Party accused Lammy of missteps, calling for him to return to the Commons. The Liberal Democrats and Reform Party also challenged the government over these failures.
Analysts highlight that the root of the problem lies in a longstanding and worsening issue within the justice system: the failure to accurately determine who belongs in prison, compounded by the involvement of multiple agencies.
