Correctional Facilities Won't Be Fixed Overnight, Minister Says, as Police Hunt For Two Individuals Mistakenly Released
Opposition justice spokesperson Robert Jenrick has described the situation as a "complete and utter shambles," speaking earlier today.
Appearing on a broadcast interview, he referenced remarks made by the justice minister after a recent inmate discharge, saying that Lammy would implement more robust checks.
"It took almost a week for the prison service supposedly to even become aware this occurred" and inform the authorities, Jenrick says, "who are now a week late in the manhunt to locate him."
The shadow minister condemns Lammy's performance during recent parliamentary questions and alleges him of a "total failure in responsibility."
Addressing mistaken prison releases more generally, Jenrick emphasizes that "each accidental discharge [...] is unacceptable."
He acknowledges there were such releases under the former Conservative government, but claims the figure "has risen significantly" under the current government.
Calling for additional correctional facilities to be built, he adds: "What the British people want to see now are adequate safeguards put in place."
"This represents a specific administrative failure by the Ministry of Justice overseen by the minister," Jenrick says.
- A timeline detailing how the latest mistaken prisoner release developed is available elsewhere.
