Justice Secretary David Lammy has initiated an independent investigation into the erroneous release of a failed asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl.
Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was apprehended on Sunday after being mistakenly set free from HMP Chelmsford instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center.
Lammy informed Parliament that Kebatu would soon be repatriated to Ethiopia. However, he expressed deep concern on behalf of the victims and the public, emphasizing that the error was unacceptable and measures need to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The release of Kebatu was attributed to a “human error,” according to Lammy, who stressed the importance of holding individuals accountable for such blunders.
Dame Lynn Owens, a former deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has been tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding Kebatu’s release. Enhanced checks will now be implemented for all prisoner releases following a review by the head of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
Furthermore, foreign nationals facing deportation will only be released in the presence of a duty governor, and removals from HMP Chelmsford have been halted temporarily.
Lammy highlighted an increase in mistaken releases, noting a rise from an average of nine per month in 2023 to 17 per month from January to June 2024.
Amidst debates over the impact of visa restrictions on prisons struggling with recruitment, concerns have been raised about the potential consequences for foreign national staff.
In response to the issue, Justice Minister Jake Richards stated that discussions are ongoing with the Home Office. The government clarified its stance on net migration reduction and outlined efforts to support prison staffing, including recruiting officers already residing in the UK.