In the year ending March 2025, 262 prisoners were released in error from prisons and courts across England and Wales — a 128 per cent increase on the previous year and the highest figure on record. This guide explains what “released in error” means, which prisons are most affected, what happens when a prisoner is freed by mistake, and what the government is doing to address the crisis.

What Does “Released in Error” Mean?

A prisoner is said to have been “released in error” when they are freed from custody before their lawful release date, or when they are released without the proper authority or checks having been completed. This can happen at the point of discharge from a prison, or at a court following a hearing. It is distinct from a deliberate early release scheme such as the End of Custody Supervised Licence (ECSL) introduced in 2024 — a release in error is an administrative or procedural mistake, not a policy decision.

Once identified, a release in error triggers an immediate police response. Depending on the prisoner’s offending history and assessed risk level, a public appeal or targeted manhunt may follow. In some cases, prisoners return voluntarily; in others, police must track them down and re-arrest them.

The Scale of the Problem in 2025 and 2026

Official data published by the Ministry of Justice shows that between April 2024 and March 2025, 262 prisoners were released in error — 233 from prisons and 29 from courts. This represents a dramatic increase from the 115 recorded in the previous year. The trend has continued into 2026, with high-profile incidents prompting parliamentary debate and an independent government review.

The Ministry of Justice releases figures on a quarterly basis, and the data shows that the problem has been worsening steadily since 2022. Critics point to the severe pressures on prison staff, mandatory early release programmes, and the complexity of managing sentence calculations for prisoners serving multiple or consecutive terms.

The Wandsworth Prison Incidents

HMP Wandsworth, a Victorian-era prison in south-west London originally built to hold fewer than 1,000 prisoners but now routinely holding over 1,500, has been at the centre of several high-profile release-in-error incidents. In late October 2025, 24-year-old Algerian national Brahim Kaddour Cherif was accidentally released and remained at large for over a week before being recaptured. Just days later, a second prisoner, William Smith (35), was released on the same day he was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for fraud. Smith subsequently handed himself back in.

The Wandsworth incidents prompted an urgent independent review ordered by the Ministry of Justice, and the prison’s management came under significant scrutiny. An August 2024 inspection report had already highlighted serious concerns about overcrowding and administrative strain at the facility.

Why Are Prisoners Being Released by Mistake?

There is no single cause, but several contributing factors have been identified. Prison overcrowding means staff are under constant pressure and dealing with an ever-increasing volume of administrative work. Sentence calculation errors are a particular risk when prisoners are serving complex sentences involving multiple offences, concurrent and consecutive terms, and licence conditions. The rapid expansion of early release schemes in 2024 and 2025, designed to relieve overcrowding, added further complexity to the release process.

Staffing shortages within HMPPS have also been cited as a factor, with many prisons operating below recommended staffing levels. Court-based releases in error tend to involve different administrative failings, often related to paperwork not being processed correctly before a prisoner is escorted out of the building.

What Happens When a Prisoner Is Released in Error?

When a prison or court identifies that a prisoner has been released in error, the matter is immediately escalated to the police. A risk assessment is carried out to determine the level of public danger posed by the individual, and a decision is made about whether to issue a public appeal. Police will then attempt to locate and re-arrest the prisoner as quickly as possible. Once returned to custody, the prisoner continues to serve their original sentence and may face additional charges for any offences committed while unlawfully at large.

Members of the public who believe they have information about a prisoner released in error are encouraged to contact their local police force or call 999 if they believe there is an immediate risk to public safety. You can learn more about how the Parole Board oversees planned releases, and how the time served calculation works in the UK prison system.

Government Response and Review

Following the surge in incidents, the government announced several measures. Dame Lynne Owens was appointed to lead an independent review into releases in error, with a remit to examine the systemic causes and recommend solutions. The Ministry of Justice also introduced strengthened release check protocols, requiring additional verification steps before any prisoner is discharged. Parliamentary scrutiny of the issue intensified through late 2025 and into 2026, with the Public Accounts Committee raising concerns about the management of the prison estate more broadly.

While the government has emphasised its commitment to fixing the administrative failings, critics argue that the root cause — severe overcrowding and understaffing — cannot be resolved without either a significant reduction in the prison population or a major programme of new prison building. Our guide to the UK prison system explains the broader pressures facing the prison estate in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many prisoners were released in error in the UK in 2025?

Between April 2024 and March 2025, 262 prisoners were released in error from prisons and courts in England and Wales. This is the highest figure ever recorded and represents a 128 per cent increase on the 115 released in error in the previous year.

What happens to a prisoner who is released by mistake?

When a release in error is discovered, police are immediately alerted and work to locate and re-arrest the prisoner. A risk assessment determines how urgently this is treated and whether a public appeal is needed. Once recaptured, the prisoner returns to custody to complete their sentence. They may also face new charges if they committed offences while unlawfully at large.

Which UK prison has the most releases in error?

HMP Wandsworth has been associated with a number of high-profile releases in error, including two incidents in late October 2025. However, the Ministry of Justice does not publish a per-prison breakdown, so it is not possible to identify definitively which prison has the worst record overall. Overcrowded prisons with high turnover are generally considered most at risk.

Can a prisoner be prosecuted for not returning after being released in error?

A prisoner who is released in error has not committed an offence simply by walking free, as the mistake was made by the prison or court rather than the individual. However, if the prisoner actively evades recapture or commits further offences while at large, they can face additional criminal charges. In practice, many prisoners released in error return voluntarily or are recaptured quickly.

Is the UK government doing anything to fix the problem of prisoners released in error?

Yes. The government has commissioned an independent review led by Dame Lynne Owens and has introduced new release check protocols intended to catch errors before a prisoner is discharged. Longer-term solutions depend on addressing the underlying causes of prison overcrowding and staffing pressures, which the government has acknowledged require substantial investment and reform.