A union leader criticized the suspension of a prison staff member following the accidental release of a migrant sex offender from HMP Chelmsford. Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was mistakenly set free instead of being transferred to an immigration detention facility, allowing him to reach London before being re-apprehended. Kebatu, convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, is now scheduled for deportation back to Ethiopia after completing his sentence.

In response to the incident, Justice Secretary David Lammy has initiated an independent investigation into the matter. Mark Fairhurst, the national chairman of the prison officers’ union, expressed dismay over the situation, emphasizing the need for accountability in the release process. Lammy, addressing MPs, acknowledged the gravity of the mistake and emphasized the importance of preventing similar errors to safeguard the public.

Lammy attributed Kebatu’s release to “human error” but stressed the necessity of identifying and rectifying the factors leading to such blunders. He appointed Dame Lynn Owens to probe the release mishap and its repercussions on the victims. Following a review of procedures by the head of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), enhanced checks will be implemented to ensure proper oversight on prisoner releases, including mandatory senior supervision and detailed checklists for governors.

Moreover, foreign nationals awaiting deportation will now only be released in the presence of a duty governor, with removals from HMP Chelmsford currently halted. Lammy disclosed that mistaken releases have been on the rise since 2021, with an increase from an average of nine monthly in 2023 to 17 per month from January to June 2024. The Justice Secretary emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent such lapses and uphold public safety.