Post by : Rameen Ariff

A significant security failure at HMP Wandsworth in south London has prompted a nationwide police search after two prisoners were inadvertently released, one of whom is a convicted sex offender. The episode has intensified scrutiny of prison procedures and oversight.

The first person released in error was 24-year-old Algerian national Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, who was mistakenly let out on October 29. He was serving time for trespass with intent to steal and has a prior conviction for indecent exposure recorded in November 2024.

The second man, 35-year-old William Smith, was also mistakenly freed on November 3, just one day after he received a 45-month sentence for multiple fraud offences.

The Metropolitan Police said officers are conducting urgent enquiries to trace both men and return them to custody. Officials described the mistake as "utterly unacceptable" and pledged rapid action to prevent repeat incidents.

Downing Street said Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer only learned of the releases following police statements. His office said that even a single erroneous release is one too many and confirmed the government will investigate the circumstances without delay.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy — who had promised the "strongest release checks that have ever been in place" — expressed anger at the repeated failures. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said Lammy had not been fully briefed at first but ordered an immediate probe after the facts emerged.

The latest mistakes follow the accidental release of migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford in Essex, stoking wider unease about errors within the prison service. Opposition figures have pressed the government for answers, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch saying repeated queries over prisoner releases remain unresolved.

Authorities have appealed to the public to report any sightings of the two men and said they are tightening security protocols to reduce the risk of similar errors. The Ministry of Justice has promised a transparent investigation and reiterated that protecting the public is a top priority.

#Global