The recent promise by David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, to strengthen prisoner release checks has been undermined by two significant errors at HMP Wandsworth in London. Two individuals, including an Algerian immigration offender, were mistakenly released from custody, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the current system.
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old serving time for trespass with intent to steal, was released on October 29, 2025, despite being a deportation case. He has not been located since his release, which was not reported to the police for six days. Kaddour-Cherif has a history of criminal behavior, including a previous conviction for indecent exposure in March 2024.
This incident occurred just two days after Lammy assured Parliament that he had implemented the “strongest ever checks” on prisoner releases, following public outrage over the wrongful release of Hadush Kebatu, a convicted sex offender. Kebatu had been mistakenly freed from HMP Chelmsford the previous month before being apprehended three days later.
In a separate incident on the same day as Kaddour-Cherif’s release, William ‘Billy’ Smith, a British national, was incorrectly allowed to leave Wandsworth. Smith, 35, had just been sentenced to 45 months for fraud, but court staff mistakenly logged a suspended sentence in the system. Efforts to correct the mistake failed, resulting in Smith’s release.
Critics of the Labour government have reacted strongly to these blunders. Robert Jenrick, the Conservative shadow justice secretary, described the situation as a “clown show,” highlighting the failure of the system overseen by Lammy. He stated, “There’s never been a better time to be a criminal,” condemning the repeated errors in prisoner management.
Kaddour-Cherif arrived in the UK legally in 2019, but his visa expired months later, leaving him as an overstayer. The Home Office flagged his immigration status in February 2020, yet no action was taken when he encountered law enforcement multiple times. He is currently in the early stages of the deportation process.
Lammy expressed his profound disappointment regarding the recent releases, stating he was “absolutely outraged and appalled.” He attributed the failures to the “failing” system Labour inherited from the previous government. Despite the assurances of improved checks, Kaddour-Cherif’s release occurred just 48 hours after Lammy’s announcement.
The errors at HMP Wandsworth come on the heels of other security failures. Notably, former soldier Daniel Khalife escaped by hiding under a delivery lorry, later being sentenced to over 14 years for espionage. The prison has garnered a reputation for mismanagement, further exacerbating public concern.
As law enforcement agencies scramble to locate Kaddour-Cherif and Smith, the situation underscores significant flaws in the prisoner release process. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police indicated that they are working urgently to establish the whereabouts of Kaddour-Cherif, who now has a six-day head start.
The ongoing issues within the prison system highlight a critical need for reform and accountability to ensure that public safety is not compromised. While Lammy’s intentions to improve checks are evident, the recent lapses raise questions about the effectiveness of those measures and the overall management of the justice system.
