December 2, 2025Dec 2 Twelve More Prisoners Released In Error, With Two Still Missing, Says Lammy Justice Secretary David Lammy has confirmed that 12 prisoners have been accidentally released in the past three weeks, with two still at large. This follows a string of previous errors, including 91 prisoners mistakenly freed between April and October. Speaking to the BBC, Lammy said the mistakes are a product of a paper-based system, which he expects to improve once a "completely digital system" is adopted. He acknowledged a recent "spike" in accidental releases but said the trend is now on a "downward trajectory." Later, in an interview with ITV, Lammy reassured the public that the two prisoners still at large were not violent or sex offenders. He declined to provide further details, citing operational police decisions and the need to protect active investigations. The issue gained national attention after Hadush Kebatu, jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and another woman while living in an asylum hotel in Epping, was mistakenly freed. Following Kebatu’s release, two other prisoners — William Smith, who voluntarily returned, and Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, who was rearrested — were also found to have been released in error. In response, the government introduced new checks to prevent accidental releases. The latest incidents have occurred since 11 November, when Lammy outlined measures to resolve the problem in the House of Commons. The total number of accidental releases has risen sharply, from 115 in 2023–24 to 262 in the following year. Lammy attributed the rise partly to the loss of 6,000 prison officers under the previous Conservative government and called the challenge "a mountain to climb." Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick criticized Labour’s early release scheme, blaming it for the confusion behind the spike in errors. To prevent further mistakes, the government has committed up to £10 million for AI tools to modernize the system and has asked former Met Police deputy commissioner Dame Lynne Owens to review the failures that led to Kebatu’s release and wider errors across the prison estate. Kebatu was re-arrested two days after release and has since been deported to Ethiopia. Key Takeaways Twelve prisoners released in error in the last three weeks; two remain at large. Systemic issues blamed on paper-based processes and previous officer cuts. Government introducing AI tools, digital systems, and an independent review to prevent future errors. Source: BBC
Twelve More Prisoners Released In Error, With Two Still Missing, Says Lammy Justice Secretary David Lammy has confirmed that 12 prisoners have been accidentally released in the past three weeks, with two still at large. This follows a string of previous errors, including 91 prisoners mistakenly freed between April and October. Speaking to the BBC, Lammy said the mistakes are a product of a paper-based system, which he expects to improve once a "completely digital system" is adopted. He acknowledged a recent "spike" in accidental releases but said the trend is now on a "downward trajectory." Later, in an interview with ITV, Lammy reassured the public that the two prisoners still at large were not violent or sex offenders. He declined to provide further details, citing operational police decisions and the need to protect active investigations. The issue gained national attention after Hadush Kebatu, jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and another woman while living in an asylum hotel in Epping, was mistakenly freed. Following Kebatu’s release, two other prisoners — William Smith, who voluntarily returned, and Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, who was rearrested — were also found to have been released in error. In response, the government introduced new checks to prevent accidental releases. The latest incidents have occurred since 11 November, when Lammy outlined measures to resolve the problem in the House of Commons. The total number of accidental releases has risen sharply, from 115 in 2023–24 to 262 in the following year. Lammy attributed the rise partly to the loss of 6,000 prison officers under the previous Conservative government and called the challenge "a mountain to climb." Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick criticized Labour’s early release scheme, blaming it for the confusion behind the spike in errors. To prevent further mistakes, the government has committed up to £10 million for AI tools to modernize the system and has asked former Met Police deputy commissioner Dame Lynne Owens to review the failures that led to Kebatu’s release and wider errors across the prison estate. Kebatu was re-arrested two days after release and has since been deported to Ethiopia. Key Takeaways Twelve prisoners released in error in the last three weeks; two remain at large. Systemic issues blamed on paper-based processes and previous officer cuts. Government introducing AI tools, digital systems, and an independent review to prevent future errors. Source: BBC
December 2, 2025Dec 2 10 minutes ago, Social Media said: To prevent further mistakes, the government has committed up to £10 million for AI tools to modernize the system Digital ID will save the day again no doubt.. Digital ID for every prisoner of the UK mandatory for work for internet access for government handouts for housing for motoring and release from prison.... err no not for that as there will be no release from the digital prison.
December 3, 2025Dec 3 36 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said: This guy makes Diane Abbot appear intellectual Labour have warned for many many years that the Tories cuts to prison funding were causing dangerous issues in terms of safety and competence. Seven years ago cuts to the numbers of prison staff alarmed Labour, replacing experienced officers with non experienced ones. Even the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned that safety in prisons was being compromised by the Tories' "austerity" cuts. This is 7-10 years ago and things got progressively worse. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/apr/28/loss-experienced-staff-leaves-prisons-unsafe https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/w/thousands-of-prison-officers-cut-under-the-conservatives A crisis entirely of the Tories' making.
December 3, 2025Dec 3 54 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said: This guy makes Diane Abbot appear intellectual It's a close one.
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