David Lammy has expressed his concern over the “unacceptable” release of 179 prisoners in error over the past year. As the deputy PM and Justice Secretary, Lammy has pledged to overhaul the outdated prison system. To address this issue, a new digital identity system called Justice ID will be implemented to track individuals from arrest to release. Biometric technology, including fingerprints and facial scans, will be utilized to verify identities and prevent wrongful releases. An investment of £82 million has been allocated to reduce errors in the release process.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) emphasized the need for this change, citing the current system as outdated and prone to errors due to criminals using multiple aliases. Dame Lynne Owens, in an independent review, referred to the wrongful prisoner releases as a symptom of a larger problem within the system. Her review was prompted by the case of Hadush Kebatu, a deported migrant who was mistakenly released, leading to public safety concerns.
Dame Lynne’s report highlighted poor communication among staff at HMP Chelmsford, where Kebatu was held, resulting in his erroneous release. The review pointed out discrepancies between physical and digital records, leading to critical paperwork errors. Additionally, victims were not informed promptly about Kebatu’s release, causing further distress.
In response to the report, Lammy acknowledged the systemic issues that have led to the rise in release errors. He emphasized the need for modernization and increased investment in the justice system to prevent such incidents. The government is committed to implementing biometric technology and digital processes to enhance security and prevent wrongful releases, with a substantial portion of the funding dedicated to digitizing outdated paper-based procedures.
The data released by the MoJ revealed that 179 inmates were mistakenly freed between April 2025 and March 2026. These errors could result from misplaced warrants, sentencing mistakes, or errors by judicial bodies. Lammy reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing these issues and ensuring public safety through comprehensive reforms and investments in the prison system.