Two inmates are currently missing in the UK following mistaken releases in recent weeks, as disclosed by David Lammy. The Justice Secretary confirmed that there have been two additional inadvertent releases of individuals classified as “violent offenders or sex offenders,” bringing the total number of such errors to 12 since November. This figure represents an increase from the previously reported 91 accidental releases between April 1 and October 31 of this year.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr. Lammy stated that he had previously presented data to Parliament showing the 91 erroneous releases up to a certain point, with an additional 12 occurring thereafter, leading to the current situation where two prisoners are unaccounted for. He expressed satisfaction that there has been a decline in these incidents following his implementation of system improvements.
When pressed for specifics on the whereabouts of the missing prisoners, Mr. Lammy declined to provide a real-time update, emphasizing that he does not wish to engage in a continuous commentary on the matter. Downing Street has acknowledged the troubling nature of the situation, with over 90 inmates mistakenly released since April.
In response to these errors, Mr. Lammy recently announced a £10 million initiative to introduce advanced AI tools for frontline staff to enhance accuracy in sentence calculations and upgrade outdated paper-based systems. Additionally, an urgent independent review has been commissioned to investigate the surge in release mistakes. The Ministry of Justice highlighted the burden on prison staff who must navigate over 500 pages of guidance, which contributes to the likelihood of errors occurring.
The spotlight on mistakenly released prisoners intensified following the well-publicized case of Hadush Kebatu, a deported migrant central to protests in Epping, Essex. Official statistics reveal that approximately 800 individuals were erroneously set free during the Conservative administration, with the number rising from 42 in 2012 to 115 in 2023/24 under the former government. In the initial year under a Labour government in 2024/25, the count of inaccurate releases surged to 262. The rise has been partly attributed to Labour’s implementation of an early release program, a measure necessitated by the challenging state of the inherited justice system.
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