Former Labour adviser James Schneider has branded the accidental release of Epping migrant Hadush Kebatu a “complete farce” on GB News.
He described the incident as the “least escape-like escape ever,” recalling how the offender reportedly walked around Dalston High Street in his prison clothes, carrying a tote bag with avocados on the front.
His comments come after the Metropolitan Police announced this morning that they have found and re-arrested migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu, who was accidentally released from prison on Friday.
Speaking on GB News, Mr Schneider said: "Clearly that figure of 262 released shows the farce we saw with this man being released.
James Schneider described the incident as the 'least escape-like escape ever'
|GB NEWS
"According to reports, he went back into prison four or five times asking, ‘Where am I meant to be going? I thought I was being deported’ and was basically sent to the train station to get away.
"It is the least escape-like escape there’s ever been the man walking around Dalston High Street in his prison clothes holding a tote bag with avocados all over it.
"We have to look at the wider issue. There are big staffing shortages, pay for prison officers has fallen for almost 14 years, and prisons are full.
"They’re understaffed and bursting at the seams, more of these kinds of human errors are bound to happen."
He said the Government must urgently recruit and retain more prison officers to prevent further incidents.
“It’s not just about numbers, it’s about ensuring officers are trained, supported and properly paid,” he added.
Kebatu was been arrested in the Finsbury Park area this morning
| CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE/PAMr Schneider also raised concerns about short-term prison sentences, which he said carry high reoffending rates and put additional strain on the system.
He argued that many offenders should be dealt with through alternative measures rather than brief stints in prison.
But he warned that long-term prisoners, especially violent offenders, are being released early because there aren’t enough spaces.
“This was a catastrophic failure,” he said. “The public must be reassured that people are released safely and the system works.”
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Mr Schneider also called for a full independent inquiry into how Kebatu, the foreign national sex offender, was allowed to walk free.
He highlighted the need for stricter checks and balances in all prisons to avoid a repeat of the 45-hour London ordeal.
“The public’s number one priority is safety,” he said.
He urged ministers to act quickly to restore confidence in the prison service.