Biometric checks after 179 prisoners released in error in year to March

The independent review, led by Dame Lynne Owens, was commissioned after Hadush Kebatu was mistakenly freed from an Essex prison in October 2025. Kebatu, who had been jailed for sexual assault, was later re-arrested and deported. The review highlighted that such mistaken releases are indicative of systemic failures within the UK's prison operations. While the 179 mistaken releases represent a decrease from 262 in the previous year, the figure remains higher than the 115 recorded in 2023-24. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy announced an £82 million investment to address these errors, including £20 million this year to digitize outdated paper-based processes and increase staffing and checks. Trials for biometric fingerprint and facial recognition are expected to begin within six months, with a full rollout planned before the end of the current parliament.