Independent

David Lammy says 12 more prisoners have been mistakenly released

ITV News

Twelve Prisoners Accidentally Released Since November Lammy Says

Sky News

Two mistakenly released prisoners still at large, says justice secretary

Metaculus

What will the US police-to-prison spending ratio be in 2030?

Institute for Government

The government is taking the right approach to sentencing reform

GOV.UK

Deputy Prime Minister announces new measures to bear down on releases in error and keep public safe

Prison release mistakes 'symptom of system close to breaking point', says prisons inspector

The Observer

Prisoners keep being freed by accident. It is a symptom of a bigger issue

TRT World

UK again mistakenly frees 12 prisoners; two remain at large: officials

GB News

David Lammy admits another 12 prisoners accidentally released in last month - and two STILL at large

The Telegraph

Lammy Admits 12 Prisoners Mistakenly Released In Past Month

Guardian

Twelve more prisoners in England and Wales released in error in last month

Daily Mail

More Inmates Mistakenly Freed Prison David Lammy.Html

The Mirror

Two prisoners remain at large after being released in error, David Lammy admits

Spectator (UK)

Why wont Lammy tell us about prisoners released by mistake?

The National Newspaper

12 prisoners accidently released in 3 weeks in England

BBC News

Twelve more prisoners released in error, with two still missing, says Lammy

Justice Secretary David Lammy confirmed on Wednesday that 12 more prisoners were mistakenly released in England and Wales during the three weeks following his Nov. 12 statement to Parliament, bringing the total accidental releases to 103 since April 1.

Justice Secretary David Lammy confirmed on Wednesday that 12 more prisoners were mistakenly released in England and Wales during the three weeks following his Nov. 12 statement to Parliament, bringing the total accidental releases to 103 since April 1.

Two of the 12 prisoners released in error since mid-November remain at large. Lammy told ITV he had been reassured that neither of the two still missing was a violent or sexual offender, though he declined to provide further details about their cases.

Two of the 12 prisoners released in error since mid-November remain at large. Lammy told ITV he had been reassured that neither of the two still missing was a violent or sexual offender, though he declined to provide further details about their cases.

The Ministry of Justice data showed 262 prisoners were freed in error in the year ending March 2025, representing a 128% increase from 115 in the previous 12-month period, with officials citing a paper-based system as a contributing factor.

The Ministry of Justice data showed 262 prisoners were freed in error in the year ending March 2025, representing a 128% increase from 115 in the previous 12-month period, with officials citing a paper-based system as a contributing factor.

The issue gained prominence after Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu was mistakenly released from the Chelmsford prison on Oct. 24 instead of being transferred to an immigration detention centre, prompting a police manhunt before his <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/uk-home-office-says-epping-sex-offender-deported-to-ethiopia">re-arrest and deportation</a>.

The issue gained prominence after Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu was mistakenly released from the Chelmsford prison on Oct. 24 instead of being transferred to an immigration detention centre, prompting a police manhunt before his re-arrest and deportation.

Lammy announced £10 million would be used to support the roll out of AI-powered tools and upgrade archaic paper-based systems, while also ordering an independent review led by Dame Lynne Owens to examine the spike in errors and improve transparency on release data.

Lammy announced £10 million would be used to support the roll out of AI-powered tools and upgrade archaic paper-based systems, while also ordering an independent review led by Dame Lynne Owens to examine the spike in errors and improve transparency on release data.

Prison Officers Association national chair Mark Fairhurst said staff have been under "immense pressure" to recalculate sentences following multiple early release schemes. He added that prisons are "underfunded, understaffed, and operating under relentless strain."

Prison Officers Association national chair Mark Fairhurst said staff have been under "immense pressure" to recalculate sentences following multiple early release schemes. He added that prisons are "underfunded, understaffed, and operating under relentless strain."

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The issue gained prominence after Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu was mistakenly released from the Chelmsford prison on Oct. 24 instead of being transferred to an immigration detention centre, prompting a police manhunt before his re-arrest and deportation.

Lammy announced £10 million to roll out AI-powered tools and upgrade archaic paper-based systems, while also ordering an independent review led by Dame Lynne Owens to examine the spike in errors and improve transparency on release data.

Lammy announced £10 million to roll out AI-powered tools and upgrade archaic paper-based systems, while also ordering an independent review led by Dame Lynne Owens to examine the spike in errors and improve transparency on release data.

Prison Officers Association national chair Mark Fairhurst said staff have been under "immense pressure" to recalculate sentences following multiple early release schemes. He said prisons are "underfunded, understaffed, and operating under relentless strain."

Prison Officers Association national chair Mark Fairhurst said staff have been under "immense pressure" to recalculate sentences following multiple early release schemes. He said prisons are "underfunded, understaffed, and operating under relentless strain."

The government is taking decisive action to fix a broken prison system through a £10 million investment in AI technology, new oversight boards, and streamlined processes. The release error crisis was inherited from the previous administration. Expanding community sentences and earned progression will cut reoffending more effectively than short prison terms. It will also free up prison space.

The government is taking decisive action to fix a broken prison system through a £10 million investment in AI technology, new oversight boards, and streamlined processes. The release error crisis was inherited from the previous administration. Expanding community sentences and earned progression will cut reoffending more effectively than short prison terms. It will also free up prison space.

The British prison system stands close to breaking point, with mistaken releases skyrocketing from 50 annually to 262 last year due to overcrowding and overstretched staff. An overcomplicated sentencing framework forces inexperienced officers to manually calculate release dates while managing facilities at 157% capacity. The crisis has exposed how dangerous offenders slip through the system.

The British prison system stands close to breaking point, with mistaken releases skyrocketing from 50 annually to 262 last year due to overcrowding and overstretched staff. An overcomplicated sentencing framework forces inexperienced officers to manually calculate release dates while managing facilities at 157% capacity. The crisis has exposed how dangerous offenders slip through the system.

There is a 50% chance that the US police-to-prison spending ratio will be 1.8 in 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 50% chance that the US police-to-prison spending ratio will be 1.8 in 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

UK Elections: Crime

Carl Court/Getty Images

Carl Court/Getty Images

103 Prisoners Mistakenly Released in England and Wales

Crime & justice

Prison reform

Prisons and prisoners

United Kingdom

The government is taking decisive action to fix a broken prison system through a £10 million investment in AI technology, new oversight boards, and streamlined processes to fix a release error crisis inherited from the previous government. Expanding community sentences and earned progression will cut reoffending more effectively than short prison terms and free up prison space to improve the current system.

The government is taking decisive action to fix a broken prison system through a £10 million investment in AI technology, new oversight boards, and streamlined processes to fix a release error crisis inherited from the previous government. Expanding community sentences and earned progression will cut reoffending more effectively than short prison terms and free up prison space to improve the current system.

The British prison system stands close to breaking point, with mistaken releases skyrocketing from 50 annually to 262 last year due to overcrowding and overstretched staff. An overcomplicated sentencing framework forces inexperienced officers to manually calculate release dates while managing facilities at 157% capacity. This crisis has exposed how dangerous offenders slip through the system.

The British prison system stands close to breaking point, with mistaken releases skyrocketing from 50 annually to 262 last year due to overcrowding and overstretched staff. An overcomplicated sentencing framework forces inexperienced officers to manually calculate release dates while managing facilities at 157% capacity. This crisis has exposed how dangerous offenders slip through the system.

There is a 50% chance that the U.S. police-to-prison spending ratio will be at least 1.8 in 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 50% chance that the U.S. police-to-prison spending ratio will be at least 1.8 in 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

103 Prisoners Mistakenly Released in England and Wales

103 Prisoners Mistakenly Released in England and Wales

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