The British Government Accidentally Releases 90 Violent Offenders and Sexual Predators in the Worst Year in Its Prison History
Over the past year, the British government has accidentally released 90 violent offenders and sexual predators, marking the highest number ever recorded in the country. According to data obtained by The Telegraph, this represents an unprecedented increase—eight times more than the previous year, when only 11 prisoners were mistakenly released.
The scandal has put intense pressure on Justice Secretary David Lammy, who on Thursday attempted to justify his previous silence before Parliament by claiming he “didn’t have all the data.” Despite presenting himself as responsible for implementing the “strictest checks in history,” Lammy admitted that “there is a mountain to climb” before the crisis can be fully resolved.
Among the most serious cases is 24-year-old Algerian sexual offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, who remains at large after being mistakenly released from Wandsworth prison over a week ago. The same facility also released 35-year-old fraudster William Smith prematurely; he later surrendered voluntarily. Both cases occurred despite new control measures announced by Lammy after a previous error, in which Ethiopian immigrant Hadush Kebatu, convicted of sexual offences, was released and later deported following a 48-hour police manhunt.
The Ministry of Justice figures are alarming. Violent offenders released by mistake increased from nine to 87 in a single year, while releases of thieves, robbers, and prisoners convicted of weapons offences also surged. In total, 262 inmates were mistakenly released, more than double the number from the previous year.
According to The Telegraph, Kaddour-Cherif was released because a court order was sent to the wrong prison, preventing officials from properly verifying his status. The police were not informed of the mistake until six days later, giving the offender ample time to evade capture.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the management and oversight of the UK’s prison system, highlighting that even with new safety measures, errors with potentially dangerous consequences can still occur.
