A SHOCKING 12 prisoners have been mistakenly released from prison since a crackdown was announced in November, the Justice Secretary confirmed today.
Figures showed that 91 accidental releases took place between April 1 and October 31 this year.
But this morning David Lammy confirmed a further 12 had been wrongly let out – despite a so-called crackdown on the farce in the prisons system.
Two remain at large, though the Justice Secretary refused to give a “running commentary” on their identity.
Mr Lammy told BBC Breakfast: “Well, I said to Parliament a few weeks ago, I released data at that point, and there had been 91 releases in error up to that point, there have been 12 since then, two are currently at large.”
He said he was “pleased that the trend is downwards” after he put some improvements in place in the system.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick blasted: “Calamity Lammy admits (more) dangerous prisoners have been mistakenly released.
“But he won’t say who they are or where they are.
“When will this fiasco end?”
It comes as the Justice Secretary will today announce controversial reforms to tackle the crown court backlog.
They will include judge-only cases, which will strip defendants of the right to choose a jury trial for offences carrying prison sentences of less than five years.
Magistrates will also be able to jail offenders for up to two years, instead of just one.
The plans — revealed in leaked memo last week — have sparked an outcry from opposition parties, judges, solicitors and free speech campaigners.
Mr Lammy told The Sun he wants to end the “invisible emergency” paralysing courts and put victims first.
He said: “If someone is raped tonight, they could face waiting years for their attacker to be hauled into court.”
He warned the crown court backlog is now close to 80,000 cases and could hit 100,000 by 2028 without drastic action.
Mr Lammy added: “I will set out the reforms needed to deliver the faster justice victims deserve. It’s going to take bold ideas. Jury trials will always stay at the heart of British justice.
“But let’s be honest, only three per cent of trials go in front of a jury, because magistrates have done the bulk of criminal work for centuries.
“I stand on the side of victims, not traditions.”
