In a startling live admission on BBC Breakfast, Justice Secretary David Lammy has confirmed that a dozen more prisoners have been accidentally released from custody over the past three weeks, with two still on the run.
Live On-Air Revelation Halts Breakfast Show
Presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay interrupted Tuesday's programme with what was described as "significant" breaking news. The revelation came directly from an interview with Mr Lammy, who disclosed the latest figures concerning the ongoing crisis of erroneous prisoner discharges.
This follows a previous spate of high-profile cases, where 91 inmates were mistakenly released between April and October of this year, as previously reported.
A Spate of High-Profile Errors
Chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman provided context, reminding viewers of recent incidents that have shaken public confidence. These included the case of Hadush Kebatu, who was accidentally freed from Chelmsford prison before being recaptured in London and deported.
Furthermore, two other high-profile accidental releases occurred from HMP Wandsworth shortly after Mr Lammy stood in for Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions last month.
"Human Error" and Outdated Systems to Blame
Speaking to Jon Kay earlier in the programme, the Justice Secretary pointed to "human error" as an inevitable consequence of the prison service's continued reliance on antiquated, paper-based administrative systems. He insisted the situation would only improve once a "completely digital system" is implemented across the estate.
"There has been a spike, it's on a downward trajectory," Mr Lammy claimed. "There have been 12 since I made that statement. At the moment, two are currently at large."
Political Pressure Mounts Over Statistics
However, Henry Zeffman cast doubt on the Justice Secretary's assertion that the problem was receding. "From the figures he gave us, statistically I'm not sure that's quite right," Zeffman commented. "So, I think he might come under more pressure to explain what basis he has for saying that."
Zeffman emphasised that accidental releases have been a persistent issue for multiple governments, including the previous Conservative administration, but acknowledged there had been a notable spike in the past year.
"This is clearly a subject which exercises the public," Zeffman added, "because it does just seem so mind boggling that people are accidentally released from prison in this volume."
The admission places fresh scrutiny on Mr Lammy, who just last month promised he was implementing "the strongest checks that have ever been in place" following the earlier wave of errors.
