Account

The Actual News

Just the Facts, from multiple news sources.

Prisons begin carrying out extra checks before releasing inmates

Prisons begin carrying out extra checks before releasing inmates

Summary

Prisons in England and Wales are implementing extra checks before releasing inmates after a mistake led to the wrongful release of an inmate named Hadush Kebatu. Kebatu, an asylum seeker sentenced for sexual assault, was mistakenly freed but later re-arrested. The government is launching an inquiry to understand the cause of this error and to prevent future occurrences.

Key Facts

  • Prisons in England and Wales must now perform enhanced checks before releasing inmates.
  • This change follows the mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford.
  • An inquiry will investigate how the error occurred, as announced by Justice Secretary David Lammy.
  • Kebatu was re-arrested in London two days after his wrongful release.
  • Kebatu, convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager and a woman, was initially due for deportation.
  • Between April 2024 and March 2025, 262 wrongful prison releases occurred in England and Wales.
  • The government attributes rising release errors to systemic issues inherited from previous administrations.
Read the Full Article

This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.