Breaking News: Over 90 Prisoners Freed by Mistake Since April
At least 91 prisoners in England and Wales have been released by mistake since April, according to new government figures released today. The Ministry of Justice data covers a seven-month period from April 1 to October 31.
The accidental releases have significant implications, with the Justice Secretary David Lammy describing the prison system as "under a horrendous strain." The Labour government has faced pressure over the issue, with the opposition citing the party's early release scheme as partly to blame.
The numbers behind the releases are stark: 262 prisoners were freed by mistake in the 12 months to March, up 128 from the previous year. The latest data marks a continuation of this trend, with the Ministry of Justice attributing the figures to a "crisis" inherited from the previous Conservative government.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the mistaken releases. The Justice Secretary has promised to take action to address the issue, but the opposition has called for more concrete measures to prevent future errors.
This is a developing story, with further updates expected in the coming days. The Ministry of Justice has not yet commented on the specific measures it will take to prevent future accidental releases.
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