Accidental Prison Releases

Debate between Lord Timpson and Lord Young of Cookham

Monday 10th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Timpson (Lab)]

The noble Lord will recognise that Dame Lynne Owens is a superb choice to do this investigation. I have already met with her, last week, to talk about the scope. She will be looking at the whole area of releases in error and is already visiting prisons and speaking to staff. I want to reassure the noble Lord about two things. First, in my book the staff who work in the offender management units are amazing. They have to do an incredibly complex, difficult job, with boxes of paperwork, and to make sure it is accurate when there are multiple opportunities for failure in the system. Secondly, this is not a quick fix. This has been getting worse for a number of years and it will take time to get it right.

[Lord Young of Cookham (Con)]

The Minister answered the second of my noble friend Lord Hayward’s questions, but he did not answer the first: when did officials first know?

[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.