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Government under pressure over wrongly freed inmates

Public safety 'at risk' because more inmates are being sent to prisons with minimal security, serving governor warns

Four prisoners who were mistakenly released are currently at large, with two freed in 2024 and two in June this year.
This revelation follows the recent arrests of Brahim Kaddour-Cherif in north London and fraudster Billy Smith, who were also wrongly set free.
Justice Secretary David Lammy is facing significant pressure over the blunders, acknowledging a “mountain to climb” to address the prison system crisis.
Mr Lammy has ordered new release checks, an independent investigation into systemic failures, and an overhaul of archaic paper-based systems.
Opposition parties have criticised the government's handling of the situation, calling for a full explanation, a rapid inquiry, and the recall of Parliament.

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