UK Prison System in Crisis as Mistaken Releases Hit Record High

A UK government minister has confirmed several prisoners are mistakenly freed each week. This revelation follows the high-profile wrongful release of a migrant sex offender. The case sparked weeks of public protests and a nationwide manhunt.

The problem highlights deep issues within Britain’s prison and immigration systems. Overcrowded jails and chronic underfunding are cited as primary causes for the errors.

Scale of the Problem Revealed in Official Figures

Government data shows a sharp increase in mistaken releases. According to Reuters, 262 prisoners were wrongly freed in the 12 months to March 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive annual increase.

The figure is more than double the number from the previous year. It underscores a system under severe strain. The prison population in England and Wales has doubled over the last thirty years.

High-Profile Cases Intensify Political Pressure

The accidental release of Ethiopian asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu brought the issue to the forefront. His arrest had already triggered protests outside an asylum hotel in Epping. His mistaken release led to a three-day manhunt before he was deported.

This week, two more mistaken releases occurred. One involved an Algerian national on the sex offenders register. He had also overstayed his visa. These incidents have increased pressure on Justice Minister David Lammy.

Government Response and Blame Game

Minister Alex Davies-Jones described the system as being in “utter chaos.” She attributed the crisis to 14 years of austerity and underfunding under the previous government. A failure to build new prisons has exacerbated the overcrowding problem.

The government says it is deporting more foreign prisoners than ever. New plans involve deporting offenders upon sentencing. This would prevent them from serving time in the UK’s overcrowded jails.

The rising rate of mistaken prisoner releases points to a systemic failure. Urgent reforms are needed to restore public confidence and ensure community safety. The UK government faces mounting pressure to fix this critical issue.

Thought you’d like to know

How many prisoners are mistakenly released each year?

Official government estimates show 262 mistaken releases occurred in the year to March 2025. This number has more than doubled from the previous year’s total of 115. The trend has been rising for four consecutive years.

What caused the recent public protests?

Protests erupted after the arrest and subsequent mistaken release of a migrant sex offender. Demonstrations began outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping. The case became a focal point for wider anti-immigration sentiment.

What is the government doing to address this?

Officials plan to deport more foreign national offenders. A new policy will seek to deport them upon sentencing instead of after serving jail time. The justice minister has also promised to toughen release rules.

Why is the UK prison system struggling?

The system faces severe overcrowding. The inmate population in England and Wales has doubled in the last three decades. Chronic underfunding and a lack of new prison construction have compounded the problem.

Who is being blamed for the crisis?

The current government blames the previous Conservative administration. They cite 14 years of austerity and underfunding in public services. A failure to build adequate prison capacity is also a key factor.