Correctional Facilities Won't Be Fixed Overnight, Government Official Says, while Police Search For Two Men Mistakenly Released
Shadow justice secretary the shadow minister has described the situation as a "total shambles," commenting this morning.
Speaking during a radio program, he referenced comments made by David Lammy after a recent prisoner release, saying that the minister would implement more robust verifications.
"It took six days for the prison service supposedly to realize this occurred" and inform the authorities, Jenrick says, "leaving them a week behind in the search to find him."
The shadow minister condemns Lammy's performance during recent PMQs and alleges him of a "complete failure in responsibility."
Speaking about mistaken inmate discharges in broader terms, Jenrick underlines that "each mistaken discharge [...] is unforgivable."
He admits there were such releases under the previous Conservative government, but claims the figure "has increased dramatically" under the current government.
Calling for more prisons to be constructed, he adds: "What the British people expect now are adequate safeguards implemented."
"That is a specific administrative failure by the justice department supervised by the minister," the opposition member concludes.
- A timeline on how the most recent incorrect inmate discharge developed is available elsewhere.
