Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has demanded David Lammy resign if he cannot answer basic questions about mistaken prisoner releases, as the government grapples with a surge in accidental freeing of inmates. The confrontation comes ahead of a parliamentary session where Jenrick plans to press the Justice Secretary for clarity.
The number of prisoners mistakenly released has soared to 262 in the year to March 2025, a 128% increase from 115 in the previous 12 months. Of these, 90 were violent or sex offenders. Three convicts remain at large following bungled releases.
High-profile cases include Algerian sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, released in error from HMP Wandsworth on October 29 despite a deportation warrant. He was arrested days later after Scotland Yard was only informed of his release on Tuesday. Fraudster Billy Smith, 35, was accidentally freed on Monday and handed himself back in on Thursday. Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford on October 24.
Jenrick's ultimatum
Jenrick sent his questions to Lammy ahead of the parliamentary showdown, demanding answers on how many prisoners have been accidentally released since April 1, how many remain at large, and how many are violent or sexual offenders. In written questions, he stated: «Tomorrow, in Parliament, I will once again ask basic questions that any competent Lord Chancellor would know the answers for [...] This is a matter of the utmost seriousness. If you refuse again, or provide this information despite my multiple requests, and my forewarning, the only remaining conclusion is that you are incapable of telling the truth. In which case, you must make way for someone who will.»
The Shadow Justice Secretary characterized the known releases as «just the tip of the iceberg» and stressed the public's right to the «full picture.»
Government response
The Prime Minister's spokesman acknowledged the scale of the problem, telling reporters: «These cases reflect the nature and scale of the prison crisis inherited by this Government. We have been clear that there is no overnight fix. That's why we're building 14,000 more prison places and sending in tech experts to modernise the system and provide immediate support to staff.»
Regarding the three prisoners at large, the spokesman said: «The three remaining are subject to live police investigations. Obviously I'm limited in what I can say, but clearly we would urge anyone with any information to come forward to the police.»
Lammy admitted on Friday there was a «mountain to climb» in addressing the crisis. The government has announced stronger security checks and an independent investigation led by Dame Lynne Owens.
Systemic failures
Former prison officer Claire Lewis, 50, who was assaulted at HMP Frankland 15 years ago and now campaigns for prison reform, criticized the chaotic release procedures. She told The Mirror: «They have got to get the proper systems in place before they release prisoners. These are dangerous people and it is only a matter of time before one of them goes on to commit further offences. It is unacceptable that these people are being released back onto the streets.»
Lewis described rigorous sign-off processes during her tenure, where releases required checks from senior staff up to governor level. She contrasted this with current failures, adding: «We keep hearing the Government has inherited this problem at the moment. But it is about trying to solve the problem now.»
Prisons Minister Lord James Timpson acknowledged in the House of Lords on Monday there was «no quick fix» and it was «going to take time to get it right.» He described current systems involving «literally boxes and boxes of paperwork all over desks and on the floor» and outlined plans for a «dramatically» improved digital solution, including AI chatbots and cross-referencing of prisoner aliases.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
