Five More Prisoners Freed by Mistake in Essex Week

Published: 29 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A series of serious administrative errors has once again rocked the British prison system after five additional prisoners were mistakenly released in the same week that a convicted sex offender, Hadush Kebatu, walked free from an Essex jail. The incident has reignited concerns about the pressures facing prison staff, the effectiveness of early release schemes, and the growing strain on the UK penal system.

Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, had been sentenced to 12 months in prison in September for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl while living in an asylum hotel in Epping. Last Friday, he was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford, sparking outrage and a two-day manhunt that ultimately led to his capture in north London and return to custody.

The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has now revealed that in the same period, five other prisoners were mistakenly released from different facilities, underscoring systemic issues within the prison service. According to POA chair Mark Fairhurst, the releases occurred at HMP Pentonville, HMP Durham, HMP The Mount in Hertfordshire, and from Reading Crown Court. One of these mistakenly freed individuals remains at large.

“The human and operational pressures in our prison system are immense,” Fairhurst told the BBC. “These mistaken releases are not isolated incidents. They have been a regular occurrence over the past year, and the system continues to operate under enormous strain.”

The union highlighted that inadequate staff training and the introduction of early release schemes designed to address jail overcrowding have created a confusing and high-risk environment for both staff and inmates. Fairhurst emphasised that frontline prison officers were unfairly blamed for systemic failings and that the POA is supporting the officer involved in Kebatu’s release.

“Somewhere in the paperwork, it was missed that Mr Kebatu should have been held in reception until the immigration service could process his deportation,” Fairhurst explained. “Errors like these are human, but they are symptomatic of a wider institutional crisis.”

Justice Secretary David Lammy addressed MPs on Monday, describing Kebatu’s release as “what appears to have been a human error.” Lammy announced immediate measures to strengthen checks and safeguards across prisons in England and Wales to prevent a repeat of such dangerous mistakes.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Releases in error have been increasing for several years and are another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this government. We are implementing urgent measures to improve accuracy in prisoner management and ensure public safety.”

The latest revelations come amidst growing public concern over prison safety and the government’s handling of the penal system. According to figures published in July, 262 prisoners were released in error in the year ending March 2025, marking a 128% increase from the previous year when 115 erroneous releases were recorded.

Legal experts warn that such mistakes not only endanger public safety but also undermine confidence in the justice system. The repeated administrative failures have sparked calls for a full independent review into prison operations and the effectiveness of early release schemes.

The early release initiatives, introduced last year to alleviate overcrowding, have been heavily criticised for creating complex procedures that staff struggle to manage under existing resources. Fairhurst told reporters: “Prison officers are working in conditions of extreme pressure, often with insufficient training or clarity on new policies. This is a recipe for mistakes with serious consequences.”

The incident has also reignited debate over immigration and asylum policies. Kebatu’s case, in particular, has inflamed tensions in communities across England and Wales, where demonstrators have rallied against asylum accommodation and voiced broader anti-immigration concerns. The intersection of criminal justice, immigration enforcement, and asylum policy has highlighted gaps in inter-agency coordination, with prison staff bearing the brunt of operational failures.

Parliamentary committees are now questioning how five further releases could occur in such a short timeframe. They are examining the administrative procedures for verifying prisoner identity, the communication channels between prisons and immigration authorities, and the resources allocated for staff training. Critics argue that without urgent reforms, the UK is likely to witness more dangerous errors.

Victims’ advocacy groups have expressed deep concern that repeated erroneous releases could threaten public safety and the rehabilitation process. They emphasise that the integrity of the prison system is crucial to maintaining public trust and ensuring that justice is served for victims of crime.

Government officials have pledged to implement more robust oversight, including enhanced auditing of release procedures and a comprehensive review of early release policy. Lammy stated: “We are committed to ensuring that no prisoner is released in error, and that our staff are supported with clear guidance, adequate resources, and the proper training required to prevent future mistakes.”

The POA has warned that reforms must go beyond procedural changes. Fairhurst argued that the broader issues of overcrowding, staff shortages, and over-reliance on early release schemes must be addressed. “Until these systemic pressures are eased, errors like these will continue, and both public safety and staff wellbeing will remain at risk,” he said.

In addition to reviewing release protocols, the Ministry of Justice is considering new digital tracking systems for inmates, which would automate verification checks and minimise human error. However, experts caution that technology alone cannot resolve the cultural and operational challenges facing the prison system.

The recent spate of errors underscores the urgent need for long-term investment in the UK’s penal infrastructure. Analysts argue that without sustained reform, the combination of overcrowded jails, inexperienced staff, and complex policy frameworks will perpetuate high-risk mistakes, potentially placing the public in danger.

Community safety advocates have also highlighted that even one erroneous release can have serious consequences. The case of Kebatu demonstrates how a single administrative lapse can result in widespread public concern, ignite political debate, and strain law enforcement resources during manhunts.

The government has indicated that it will review not only the immediate causes of these mistaken releases but also the structural pressures that make such errors more likely. Lammy noted that a detailed inspection of training protocols, operational guidelines, and inter-agency coordination would be conducted, and that lessons learned would inform future policy.

As the debate continues, the public remains anxious about the potential risks posed by systemic failures in the prison service. Legal scholars, government officials, and prison staff alike are calling for urgent reforms to ensure that no prisoner is released in error, that staff are properly supported, and that public confidence in the justice system is restored.

The latest revelations mark a stark reminder that the pressures on the UK prison system are both immediate and structural, requiring comprehensive action to prevent further mistakes and maintain the integrity of public safety measures.