Downing Street has acknowledged the concerning revelation that over 90 inmates have been mistakenly released since April this year. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy disclosed that three prisoners are currently on the loose after being released erroneously, with another potential case of mistaken release on November 3 under investigation.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) recently published data indicating that 91 criminals were wrongfully freed between April 1 and October 31 this year. A spokesperson from No 10 emphasized that these incidents reflect the challenges inherited by the government within an overburdened prison and criminal justice system. The spokesperson highlighted the public’s justifiable shock over these cases, noting a significant increase in such errors in recent years.
In response to the growing issue, David Lammy announced a £10 million allocation to implement AI-powered tools for accurate sentence calculations and to modernize outdated paper-based systems. An urgent independent review has been commissioned to analyze the surge in erroneous releases. The MoJ cited the excessive amount of guidance materials that prison staff must navigate as a contributing factor to the higher likelihood of mistakes.
The spotlight on mistaken prisoner releases intensified following a prominent case involving Hadush Kebatu, a deported migrant at the center of protests in Epping, Essex. During a statement to the Commons, David Lammy stressed the imperative for a substantial transformation of the prison release service, extending an unequivocal apology to victims impacted by erroneous releases.
The statistics reveal that around 800 prisoners were mistakenly released during the Conservative administration, with a notable increase in errors each year. In the initial year of a Labour government in 2024/25, the number of incorrect releases rose to 262, partly attributed to Labour’s early release initiative necessitated by the precarious state of the justice system inherited from the previous administration.
In light of a leaked email detailing plans to release women offenders into the community, David Lammy defended the proposal by emphasizing the need to explore alternative approaches for female offenders, particularly recognizing their roles as mothers.
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