A union leader has spoken out about the suspension of a prison staff member following the accidental release of a migrant sex offender from a UK prison. Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was mistakenly set free from HMP Chelmsford instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center. Government officials expressed anger over the blunder, which allowed Kebatu to travel to London before being re-apprehended.
Kebatu, who had served time for assaulting a 14-year-old girl, is now facing deportation to Ethiopia. An inquiry led by Justice Secretary David Lammy has been initiated to investigate the incident. Mark Fairhurst, the head of the prison officers’ union, expressed deep regret over the error and voiced support for the suspended staff member, highlighting the breakdown in the release process that led to the mistake.
Lammy informed lawmakers that Kebatu would be promptly deported but emphasized the distress of the victims and the public over the mishap. He stressed the need for accountability and immediate action to prevent similar errors in the future to safeguard public safety. Dame Lynn Owens, a former senior police official, has been tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding Kebatu’s release and its impact on the victims.
Enhanced procedures will now be implemented for all prisoner releases following a thorough review by the head of the HM Prison and Probation Service. Increased oversight and a detailed checklist will be enforced to ensure proper checks before any release. Additionally, foreign nationals facing deportation will only be released in the presence of a duty governor, and removals from HMP Chelmsford have been halted temporarily. Lammy disclosed a concerning rise in mistaken releases in recent years, underscoring the urgency to address systemic shortcomings.
