David Lammy has expressed strong disapproval over the wrongful release of 179 prisoners in the past year, deeming it unacceptable. As Deputy PM and Justice Secretary, Lammy announced the introduction of a new Justice ID system, a digital identity framework to track individuals entering and exiting the prison system. This initiative will incorporate biometric technology, including fingerprints and facial scans, to verify prisoner identities at crucial stages, such as releases from custody, with a commitment of £82 million to reduce release errors.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) highlighted the necessity for this change, citing an outdated system where criminals could use multiple aliases, resulting in confusion, errors, and premature releases. This reform follows an independent review by Dame Lynne Owens, a former Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner, who labeled the problem as a symptom of a flawed system.
The review was prompted by the case of Hadush Kebatu, a deported migrant mistakenly released and involved in a criminal incident in Epping, Essex. Dame Lynne’s investigation revealed flaws in communication at HMP Chelmsford, leading to Kebatu’s wrongful release. The report emphasized discrepancies between physical paperwork and digital records, underscoring the need for improved procedures to prevent such errors.
Furthermore, Dame Lynne stressed the importance of promptly informing Kebatu’s victims about the release mishap before it circulated on social media. She urged transparency and cooperation among stakeholders to enhance safety measures and prevent similar incidents. Lammy acknowledged the systemic issues contributing to release errors, attributing them to years of neglect and overcrowding in the prison system. He emphasized the ongoing efforts to modernize and improve prison operations, including the implementation of biometrics and enhanced monitoring to safeguard public welfare.
