A union leader 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 freed instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center. The error allowed Kebatu to travel to London before being re-apprehended. After serving time for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, Kebatu is now facing deportation back to Ethiopia. Justice Secretary David Lammy has initiated an independent investigation into the incident.
Mark Fairhurst, the national chairman of the prison officers’ union, expressed dismay over the situation, highlighting the impact on the suspended staff member. He pointed out potential mistakes in the paperwork processing and management checks that led to the release error. Lammy confirmed Kebatu’s imminent deportation but acknowledged the outrage of his victims and the public regarding the incident.
Describing the release as a result of “human error,” Lammy stressed the need for accountability and immediate actions to prevent similar mistakes. Dame Lynn Owens, tasked with investigating the release error, will speak to Kebatu’s victims to understand the repercussions. Enhanced checks and oversight measures have been implemented in the wake of the incident to prevent erroneous releases and ensure public safety.
Foreign national deportations will now require supervision by a duty governor, with removals from HMP Chelmsford temporarily halted. Lammy disclosed a rise in mistaken releases since 2021 and emphasized the importance of improving processes to avoid such errors in the future.