Wrongful Release of Foreign Prisoners
Another foreign prisoner has been wrongly released, this time from HMP Wandsworth in south London.
The foreign prisoner is “suspected of a knife offence” and the error the prison happened on 29 October, which is five days after the Ethiopian migrant sex offender, Hadush Kebatu was wrongly released from HMP Chelmsford.
Background of the Incident
This comes just two days after the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy said there will now be enhanced checks for those being released.
Lammy made the vow after the Kebatu manhunt saying, “the strongest release checks that have ever been in place.”
The Metropolitan Police said, “Shortly after 1pm on Tuesday 4 November, the Met was informed by the Prison Service that a prisoner had been released in error from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday 29 October.
“The prisoner is a 24-year-old Algerian man.
“Officers are carrying out urgent enquiries in an effort to locate him and return him to custody.”
Details of the Prisoner
Sky News first reported the wrongful release and it is believed the prisoner was doing time for trespass with the intention to steal, he has a previous conviction for sex offences.
Heidi Alexander told BBC radio the prisoner is a “foreign criminal suspected of a knife offence.”
Reaction from Government Officials
During Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons, the Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge asked are there any more asylum seekers who have been wrongly released?
Lammy told Cartlidge to “get a grip.”
Cartlidge told MPs, “The Telegraph are reporting that a police manhunt has been launched for a second asylum seeker mistakenly freed from prison.
“The question is, can (the Speaker) advise on how I can ask the Justice Secretary whether he was aware of this when I asked him about it repeatedly in Prime Minister’s questions?”
Lammy ignored the question, he later released a statement saying, “I am absolutely outraged and appalled by the mistaken release of a foreign criminal wanted by the police. The Metropolitan Police is leading an urgent manhunt, and my officials have been working through the night to take him back to prison.
“Victims deserve better and the public deserve answers. That is why I have already brought in the strongest checks ever to clamp down on such failures and ordered an independent investigation, led by Dame Lynne Owens to uncover what went wrong and address the rise in accidental releases which has persisted for too long.
“This latest incident exposes deeper flaws across the failing criminal justice system we inherited. Dame Lynne Owens’ investigation will leave no stone unturned to identify these issues, so we can fix them, improve safeguards and ensure the public is properly protected.”
Reaction from Opposition Leaders
The Reform UK leader Nigel Farage blasted on X, “Another dangerous criminal is on the loose thanks to Labour. What a total farce.”
Conclusion
The wrongful release of foreign prisoners has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. The government has vowed to enhance release checks and conduct an independent investigation to address the issue. However, opposition leaders have criticized the government’s handling of the situation, citing deeper flaws in the system.
FAQs
Q: What happened at HMP Wandsworth?
A: A foreign prisoner was wrongly released from HMP Wandsworth in south London.
Q: Who is the prisoner?
A: The prisoner is a 24-year-old Algerian man suspected of a knife offence.
Q: What is the government doing to address the issue?
A: The government has vowed to enhance release checks and conduct an independent investigation to address the issue.
Q: What is the reaction from opposition leaders?
A: Opposition leaders have criticized the government’s handling of the situation, citing deeper flaws in the system.
