"HMPPS (Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service) reports that 262 prisoners were released in error between April 2024 - March 2025, as compared to 115 prisoners in the previous year. While the figures for unlawfully detained prisoners are unknown, it can be assumed that there are around the same number. The compensation figures for these unlawfully detained persons are not yet known, but these will be substantial."
"These mistakes were predictable as prisons are critically understaffed and overworked and where new and inexperienced officers are being given large caseloads to manage. Moreover, there are also too many release provisions rolled out by numerous Governments which requires sometimes complex sentence calculations by prison staff. Currently offenders are released automatically at the following points in their sentences (40%, 50%, 66%) and others are eligible to be released after ½ or ⅔ of their sentences."
Hadush Kebatu, convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, received a 12-month sentence and was mistakenly released by HMP Chelmsford. The Chief Inspector of Prisons found backlogs in sentence calculations at HMP Pentonville causing some prisoners to be released early and others held past their release dates. HMPPS recorded 262 erroneous releases between April 2024 and March 2025, up from 115 the previous year. Prisons are critically understaffed and rely on new officers with large caseloads. Numerous complex release provisions — automatic release at 40%, 50% and 66%, eligibility at ½ or ⅔, concurrent/consecutive rules, recalls and a Fixed Term recall for sentences under 48 months — increase the risk of mistaken releases and unlawful detention. Compensation for unlawfully detained prisoners is likely to be substantial.
Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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