A foreign prisoner has escaped from HMP Wandsworth, leading to a manhunt. This incident occurred on October 29 and was reported by the Metropolitan Police on November 4. The error mirrors a recent high-profile case involving the release of a migrant sex offender, Hadush Kebatu, from HMP Chelmsford.
Details of the Escape from HMP Wandsworth
The escaped individual is a 24-year-old Algerian man. He was serving time for trespass with intent to steal and has a history of sexual offences. Following his mistaken release, urgent enquiries are underway to locate him and return him to custody.
Timeline of Events
- October 29: The Algerian prisoner is mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth.
- November 4: The prison service notifies Metropolitan Police of the error.
It’s notable that this incident followed the high-profile release of Hadush Kebatu, which has sparked significant concern regarding prisoner release protocols.
Increased Scrutiny on Prisoner Releases
Two days prior to the Algerian prisoner’s escape, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy announced enhanced measures for prisoner release checks. This announcement aimed to address the growing number of release errors. Reports indicate there were 262 such errors from March 2024 to March 2025.
Response to Recent Incidents
Following the Kebatu episode, Lammy pledged to implement the strongest release checks ever established. An independent investigation into Kebatu’s release is being conducted by Dame Lynne Owens, former Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
The Conservative Party has labeled the Kebatu release a “national embarrassment.” The Ministry of Justice has been urged to provide comments regarding the recent escape at HMP Wandsworth.
