Exclusive: Prisons 'in chaos' row as inmates released by mistake

Security measures have been tightened and prison bosses told to be more vigilant after suspects accused of serious violence and burglary were wrongly set free last year (2008-09).

But prison officers blamed the Government for the scandal, claiming moves to cut costs in the Prison Service had led to more mistakes being made.

Ministry of Justice figures, released to the Yorkshire Post under Freedom of Information legislation, show that there were failings at prisons in the west, south and east of the region between April 2008 and March 2009.

Wealstun Prison, near Wetherby, wrongly released an inmate who was being held for grievous bodily harm, either after being convicted of the offence or while on remand awaiting trial.

Inmates accused of burglary were set free by mistake from two Yorkshire jails – Lindholme Prison, near Doncaster, and Hull Prison.

A fourth suspect held for an unspecified offence was released in error from Doncaster Prison.

The Prison Service said all four were later recaptured and returned to custody, but a Yorkshire MP claimed the blunders showed that Britain's overcrowded jails were in chaos.

Tory MP for Shipley, Philip Davies, who has tabled a parliamentary question about the issue, said: "I cannot even begin to comprehend how this has happened. It is beyond my understanding and it just reflects the perception that the prison system is a complete shambles in this country.

"Combined with the problems of drugs and mobile phones being taken into prisons, it shows that we need a much tougher regime.

"It shouldn't be particularly difficult to solve as it just needs a bit of disciplined administration, but the consequences are that people who are clearly dangerous are out on the streets when they shouldn't be."

Last November, the Government admitted that 192 prisoners nationwide, including murderers and sex offenders, had been freed early by mistake over a five-year period.

The number of cases reported across the country has soared in recent years, hitting a rate of almost one a week since the beginning of 2008.

Prison Officers' Association spokesman Glyn Travis said the rise coincided with the Government's decision to centralise administrative duties within the Prison Service.

"The Government has constantly driven down procedures in an attempt to save money and, because of those efficiency savings, mistakes will happen," he added.

"We believe that centralisation is the root cause of mistakes, which could endanger the public."

Mr Travis added that ministers faced a "balancing act" between limiting public spending and ensuring the public are safe.

"If the Government believes it is acceptable for four people in Yorkshire to be unlawfully discharged, then that is where we are," he said.

"But we are dealing with people who are deemed to be a risk to public safety and when judges pass a sentence, they expect that sentence to be completed."

A Prison Service spokesperson said: "We take this issue very seriously and have taken action to tighten processes and focus managers' attention."