The 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 a two-day search when he was mistakenly discharged from HMP Chelmsford instead of being transferred to an immigration detention facility.
Mr. Lammy informed Members of Parliament that Kebatu would be swiftly deported to Ethiopia. Nevertheless, he expressed deep concern on behalf of the victims and the public over the regrettable incident, stating, “This error should not have occurred. The victims deserve better, the public expects better, and this Government demands better from a crucial public service responsible for safeguarding the British people from harm.”
Kebatu’s release was attributed to “human error,” according to Mr. Lammy, who emphasized the need for accountability for the oversight.
Addressing MPs, he stated, “I have been unequivocal from the beginning that such a mistake is unacceptable. We must investigate thoroughly to uncover the root cause and implement immediate measures to prevent similar erroneous releases that endanger public safety.”
The Justice Secretary assigned Dame Lynn Owens, a former deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, to probe the circumstances leading to the mistaken release. Dame Lynn is expected to engage with Kebatu’s victims to comprehend the impact of his release on them.
Following an urgent review of procedures by the head of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), enhanced checks will be enforced for all prisoner releases.
Going forward, there will be heightened senior supervision to ensure proper checks are conducted, including a comprehensive checklist for governors to confirm adherence to all protocols the night before any release occurs.
Foreign nationals slated for deportation will now only be released in the presence of a duty governor, and removals from HMP Chelmsford have been halted this week.
According to the Justice Secretary, mistaken releases have been on the rise since 2021, escalating from an average of nine per month in 2023 to 17 per month between January and June 2024.
In a heated exchange, Mr. Lammy clashed with his Conservative counterpart, Robert Jenrick, blaming the Conservatives for the deteriorating state of the justice system.
He highlighted the detrimental impact of severe budget cuts on prisons, revealing a 24% reduction in funding between 2010 and 2015, accompanied by a 30% decrease in staffing. Mr. Lammy also noted that over half of frontline prison officers possess less than five years of experience.
Mr. Lammy remarked, “Given the severe strain on the system, it is not surprising that errors like this occur. We must acknowledge that the previous government’s crisis management approach, characterized by fragmented, ad-hoc releases in a bid to avert system collapse, has only added complexity and pressure, increasing the likelihood of errors.”
Responding to Mr. Jenrick’s criticism, Mr. Lammy condemned the situation as an “absolute debacle,” rebuking his counterpart for evading responsibility for the justice system’s current state.
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