Summary
Justice Secretary David Lammy reported that twelve prisoners were mistakenly released in the past three weeks, adding to the 91 erroneous releases from April to October. Lammy attributed the mistakes to a paper-based system and promised improvements with a digital system. New checks have been implemented after a high-profile case of mistaken release.
Key Facts
- Twelve prisoners were accidentally released in the past three weeks.
- Two of these prisoners are still not found.
- From April to October, 91 prisoners were mistakenly released.
- Lammy said these errors happen because prisons use paper records.
- There was a case of mistaken release involving Hadush Kebatu, who committed serious crimes.
- Mistaken releases have increased from 115 in 2023-2024 to 262 in the following year.
- The system lost 6,000 officers under a previous Conservative government.
- Lammy wants to reduce mistaken releases and improve the system with digital records.
