A union leader has criticized the suspension of a prison staff member following the accidental release of a migrant sex offender from HMP Chelmsford. Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was mistakenly let go instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center. The incident led to Kebatu traveling to London before being re-apprehended.
Kebatu, who had served time for assaulting a 14-year-old, is now facing deportation back to Ethiopia. Justice Secretary David Lammy has initiated an independent investigation into the matter. Mark Fairhurst, the national chairman of the prison officers’ union, expressed regret over the error and stood by the suspended staff member, emphasizing the need for accountability in the release process.
Lammy assured MPs that Kebatu would be deported promptly but acknowledged the distress caused to his victims. He stressed the need for improved procedures to prevent similar mistakes in the future. Dame Lynn Owens, a former deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has been tasked with investigating the circumstances of Kebatu’s release and its impact on the victims.
Enhanced protocols will now be implemented for all prisoner releases to prevent such errors. This includes increased oversight, a detailed checklist for governors, and the presence of a duty governor during the release of foreign nationals. The removal of individuals from HMP Chelmsford has been temporarily halted. Lammy highlighted a rise in mistaken releases since 2021, underscoring the urgency of addressing the issue to safeguard public safety.
