A nationwide search is underway for a 24-year-old Algerian man mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth over a week ago. The error, discovered on November 4th, has ignited a firestorm of questions and concern regarding security protocols within the UK prison system.
The man, who was incarcerated on a charge of attempted theft, has a documented history of serious offenses, including sexual crimes. This revelation has intensified public anxiety and prompted urgent calls for answers from the Ministry of Justice, particularly from local MP Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan, who expressed her horror at the oversight.
The situation unfolded as authorities were still grappling with the fallout from a similar incident just weeks prior. Hadush Kebatu, a former asylum seeker, was accidentally released and sparked widespread protests before being apprehended and deported to Ethiopia.
During a tense exchange in Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy faced repeated questioning about the latest release. He deflected direct answers, instead focusing on a broader review of the justice system inherited from the previous administration and the ongoing investigation into release errors.
Critics have accused the government of a systemic failure, pointing to a pattern of mistakes at HMP Wandsworth. Last year, the prison was the scene of a high-profile escape when Daniel Khalife, accused of espionage, fled by clinging to a food delivery truck, remaining at large for several days.
Inspectors had noted improvements at Wandsworth earlier this year, but cautioned that these gains were “limited and fragile,” with “outcomes across many areas” remaining deeply problematic. The latest incident casts a long shadow over those assurances.
The accidental release of Kebatu had already caused significant embarrassment for the government, triggering public outrage and demonstrations. The current situation threatens to amplify those concerns and further erode public trust in the system.
Authorities are working urgently to locate and recapture the Algerian man, but the incident has laid bare critical vulnerabilities within the prison system and raised serious questions about the safety of the public.
