A union leader has criticized the suspension of a prison staff member following the accidental release of a migrant sex offender from HMP Chelmsford. Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was mistakenly freed instead of being sent to an immigration detention center, leading to his subsequent re-arrest in London. Kebatu, convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old, is now facing deportation, with an investigation initiated by Justice Secretary David Lammy.
The national chairman of the prison officers’ union, Mark Fairhurst, expressed regret over the error and the unfair treatment of the suspended staff member. He highlighted potential flaws in the release process, emphasizing the need for better procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Mr. Lammy acknowledged the mistake as a result of human error and stressed the importance of holding individuals accountable for such errors. He emphasized the necessity of a thorough investigation to identify the root cause and implement measures to safeguard against future erroneous releases.
To address the issue, enhanced checks will be implemented for all prisoner releases, with increased oversight and specific guidelines for governors to follow before any release. Additionally, foreign nationals facing deportation will only be released in the presence of a duty governor, and deportations from HMP Chelmsford have been temporarily halted.
The Justice Secretary revealed a concerning trend of rising mistaken releases since 2021, underscoring the urgency of rectifying the systemic issues to ensure public safety. An independent investigation led by Dame Lynn Owens will delve into the circumstances surrounding Kebatu’s release and its implications for the victims.
The incident has prompted a reevaluation of release protocols to prevent future errors and uphold the integrity of the justice system.