A union leader expressed dismay over the suspension of a prison employee following the mistaken release of a migrant sex offender. Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was erroneously set free from HMP Chelmsford instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center, causing government officials to express anger at the blunder. Kebatu, who had served time for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, was apprehended in London and is now slated for deportation to Ethiopia. Justice Secretary David Lammy has initiated an independent investigation into the incident.
Mark Fairhurst, the national chairman of the prison officers’ union, emphasized the distress felt by prison staff due to the error. He highlighted discrepancies in the administrative processes leading to Kebatu’s release, underscoring the need for improved procedures to prevent such lapses. Lammy acknowledged the gravity of the situation, assuring MPs that steps would be taken to enhance accountability and prevent similar mistakes in the future.
Dame Lynn Owens, a former deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has been tasked with probing the circumstances surrounding Kebatu’s release. Enhanced oversight measures and stricter protocols for prisoner releases have been implemented to avert future errors. Notably, foreign nationals facing deportation will now only be released in the presence of a duty governor, with heightened scrutiny on release procedures to ensure compliance with regulations. Lammy also disclosed an uptick in mistaken releases since 2021, prompting a reevaluation of release processes to safeguard public safety.