Accidental Prison Releases

Baroness Carberry of Muswell Hill Excerpts

Monday 10th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Timpson (Lab)]

I am not aware of the exact details, but I am happy to write to the noble Lord when I get them.

[Baroness Carberry of Muswell Hill (Lab)]

My Lords, what work is being done to improve prison officer training to reduce releases in error, as a matter of urgency and in the long term?

[Lord Timpson (Lab)]

The Ministry of Justice has a programme called Enable, around how we develop the skills of our fantastic staff. In the short term, we have introduced new checklists that are more robust than ever and asked for duty governor sign-off on releases. We are investing more money in training for our staff. That is not just for staff who are joining the service; it is important that we invest in the staff who have been with us for some time. The offender management unit does complex work. I have spoken to governors who have been in the service for many years. When they look at the release checks that the offender management units must do, they cannot believe how much more complex it has become over the last few years.