New government figures reveal that 91 prisoners were mistakenly released between April and October of this year.
The data, covering England and Wales, was published by the Ministry of Justice amid growing scrutiny over erroneous releases following several high-profile incidents in recent weeks.
Justice Secretary David Lammy told MPs that the figures were “symptomatic of a prison system under a horrendous strain,” attributing a “crisis” to the legacy of the previous Conservative government.
However, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick countered that the “confusion created by Labour’s botched early release scheme,” implemented to alleviate prison overcrowding, was partly to blame.
The number of accidental releases has been on the rise in recent years.
The latest annual figures indicate that 262 prisoners in England and Wales were mistakenly freed in the 12 months leading up to March, a 128% increase from the 115 recorded the previous year.
The newly released Ministry of Justice data spans a seven-month period from April 1 to October 31.
The department clarified that the figures encompass any prisoner released when they should have remained in custody, provided that neither the individual nor a third party intentionally contributed to the error.
The ministry cautioned that the data is not directly comparable to annual figures due to potential seasonal effects on releases and delayed recordings.
Furthermore, the department noted that figures for recent months are subject to change and that past revisions “have tended to be upwards.”
Addressing the House of Commons following the release of the figures, Lammy stated, “I’m clear that we must bear down on these numbers, which are symptomatic of a prison system under a horrendous strain.”
He informed MPs that the number of frontline prison officers had been reduced by a quarter between 2010 and 2017, resulting in a less experienced workforce.
“Unsurprisingly, mistakes happen in those circumstances,” he added.
Lammy asserted that the prison release process requires “a radical overhaul” and that “only technology will fix this issue over time.”
He outlined several actions the government was undertaking, including:
This announcement follows the government’s launch of an independent review of accidental releases, which is expected to deliver its findings in February of next year.
In his statement, Lammy provided additional details regarding three prisoners mistakenly released who remain at large.
The first was incarcerated for failing to surrender to the police and was released in error in December 2024.
The second was imprisoned for a drug offense and released in error in August 2024, while the third was incarcerated for aggravated burglary and released in error in June 2025.
One is a foreign national offender, while the other two are British.
Lammy stated that His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service is also investigating a potential erroneous release on November 3, with the individual possibly still at large.
Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick accused Lammy of presiding over “a complete and utter farce,” stating that he had “literally lost track of how many prisoners he’s lost.”
“The public are being put at risk,” he asserted, demanding that Lammy “get a grip or go.”
Jenrick, who had requested the release of the latest figures, claimed that Lammy had to be dragged “kicking and screaming” to make them public.
He attempted to attribute blame to Labour’s early release scheme, asserting that it created “confusion” and contributed to the increase in prisoners being mistakenly released.
The emergency scheme, implemented after prisons neared full capacity, allows some inmates to be released after serving 40% of their fixed-term sentence, rather than the standard 50%.
However, Lammy countered that the move was necessary because the Conservatives had failed to construct sufficient additional prison places during their time in government.
Last week, reports emerged that two men had been separately released by mistake from HMP Wandsworth within a single week. Both men are now back in custody following police manhunts.
This followed the mistaken release of migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu, who arrived in the UK on a small boat, from HMP Chelmsford in Essex last month.
Kebatu, who has now been deported, was residing in an asylum hotel when he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Epping, sparking protests that spread across the country.
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Two others remain missing after being released in error in June of this year.
The government faces increasing pressure following a series of high-profile wrongful releases.
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was one of two men mistakenly released from the prison within a week.
The 35-year-old was wrongly released from HMP Wandsworth on the same day he was sentenced to jail.
The Victorian-era facility is one of the largest in the UK, with an interior as intimidating as its entrance.