Justice Secretary David Lammy has initiated an independent investigation into the premature release of a failed asylum seeker who committed a sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl.
Hadush Kebatu, a citizen of Ethiopia, was apprehended after evading authorities for two days following an erroneous release from HMP Chelmsford instead of being transferred to an immigration holding facility.
Addressing Parliament, Lammy confirmed Kebatu’s imminent deportation to Ethiopia, acknowledging the justifiable outrage of Kebatu’s victims and the public over the blunder. He emphasized the necessity of accountability for the release attributed to “human error.”
Dame Lynn Owens, a former deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has been assigned by Lammy to investigate the circumstances surrounding Kebatu’s mistaken release, with plans to consult Kebatu’s victims to gauge the impact of the incident on them.
Enhanced protocols will be implemented for all prisoner releases following a thorough review by the head of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). This includes heightened supervision to ensure proper procedures are followed, with a detailed checklist for governors to verify compliance the night before any release.
Furthermore, foreign nationals earmarked for deportation will now only be released in the presence of a duty governor, and removals from HMP Chelmsford have been halted temporarily.
Lammy highlighted a concerning uptick in mistaken releases, noting a rise from an average of nine monthly in 2023 to 17 per month in the January-June 2024 period. He engaged in a heated debate with Conservative counterpart Robert Jenrick, attributing the system’s shortcomings to past funding cuts and insufficient staffing levels.
Amidst concerns over visa restrictions impacting prison staffing, Governor Paul Crossey of HMP Feltham expressed worries about losing skilled foreign national officers due to visa changes. Justice Minister Jake Richards assured ongoing discussions with the Home Office to address the issue.
The government emphasized the need to reduce net migration while ensuring that current Skilled Worker visa holders among prison officers can continue working in the UK and seek visa extensions as required. Efforts to recruit officers already settled in the UK are being explored to bolster prison staffing levels.