A union leader has criticized the suspension of a prison staff member following the mistaken release of a migrant sex offender from HMP Chelmsford. Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was erroneously set free instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center. This error allowed Kebatu to travel to London before being re-apprehended on Sunday.
Kebatu, who had served time for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, is now slated for deportation to Ethiopia. An investigation, led by Justice Secretary David Lammy, has been launched to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Mark Fairhurst, the national chairman of the prison officers’ union, expressed deep regret over the blunder, emphasizing the need for support for the suspended staff member. He highlighted potential errors in the paperwork processing and release procedures that led to the mistake.
While Mr. Lammy assured MPs of Kebatu’s imminent deportation, he stressed the distress of the victims and the public over the incident. He underscored the need for accountability and immediate actions to prevent such errors in the future, emphasizing the critical role of the prison service in safeguarding the public.
The Justice Secretary has appointed Dame Lynn Owens to investigate the erroneous release of Kebatu, with a focus on understanding its impact on the victims. Enhanced checks and oversight measures are being implemented to prevent similar incidents, including requiring senior approval for all releases and the presence of a duty governor for the release of foreign nationals.
Furthermore, removals from HMP Chelmsford have been halted temporarily, with stricter protocols being enforced to prevent mistaken releases. The Justice Secretary highlighted the escalating trend of mistaken releases since 2021, signaling the urgency of addressing procedural shortcomings to uphold public safety.
