UK Man Wrongly Released from Prison Surrenders
Surrey County Police confirmed that William Smith, a man mistakenly released from Wandsworth Prison in London, has returned to custody after surrendering himself. Smith turned himself in three days after his wrongful release on November 3.
"We are withdrawing our appeal for help in locating wanted 35-year-old William Smith, who was wrongly released from HMP Wandsworth on Monday, November 3. Today, Smith surrendered himself to HMP Wandsworth," the police stated.
Details of the Case
The BBC reported that Smith was sentenced to 45 months in prison for multiple fraud offences at Croydon Crown Court on the same day he was released.
Other Wrongful Releases and Official Reactions
- Smith was one of two prisoners wrongly released from Wandsworth. The other, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old sex offender released on October 29, remains at large.
- Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones acknowledged the crisis in the prison system, saying it would not be fixed overnight.
- Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick described the situation as a "complete mess."
Author's summary: A man wrongly freed from a UK prison has surrendered, highlighting ongoing struggles within the prison system that officials admit are far from resolved.