Sex offender and violent offender were released under early release scheme in error
Ministry of Justice early release scheme to help jails deal with Coronavirus has been suspended after six offenders were freed by mistake.
The inmates were mistakenly let out of two ‘open’ prisons – Leyhill in Gloucestershire and Sudbury, Derbyshire.
Officials say the pair presented a low risk and have been located and returned to custody. However, the mistake is deeply embarrassing for justice secretary
who has emphasised the rigorous checks that will take place before inmates are
let out.
The prison service attributed the release to “human error” and said processes were being changed to reduce the likelihood of it happening again.
