Justice Secretary David Lammy has confirmed a dozen more inmates have been freed from prisons in error over recent weeks, adding to a concerning annual total.
Latest Figures Show Ongoing Problem
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the Justice Secretary provided an update on the troubling issue of administrative releases. He confirmed there had been 12 further accidental releases since he last addressed Parliament on the matter. This follows earlier data which showed 91 such incidents occurred between 1st April and 31st October this year.
"I said to Parliament a few weeks ago, I released data at that point, and there had been 91 releases in error up to that point," Mr Lammy stated. "There have been 12 since then, two are currently at large."
Minister Claims Downward Trend After Reforms
Despite the new cases, David Lammy insisted that the situation is improving. He told the BBC he was "pleased that the trend is downwards" following the implementation of new measures designed to tighten procedures within the prison system.
The admission means the total number of prisoners accidentally released in the current reporting period now stands at a minimum of 103. The revelation raises serious questions about operational safeguards and administrative controls within the UK's justice institutions.
Public Safety and System Scrutiny
The fact that two individuals from the latest batch of erroneous releases remain unaccounted for will heighten concerns over public safety and the potential risks posed by such failures. Each case represents a significant breakdown in protocol, where individuals deemed unsuitable for release are discharged into the community.
Key points from the Justice Secretary's update include:
- 103+ accidental releases recorded since April 1st.
- 12 new cases reported since November.
- 2 individuals from the recent errors are still at large.
- Ministry of Justice reforms are reportedly having an effect.
The Justice Secretary's office has indicated that more details on the specific improvements made to the system will be provided in due course. The ongoing situation underscores the critical need for robust and fail-safe processes in the management of the prisoner population.
