Claire Waxman backs urgent reform after review exposes failures in how victims are notified when offenders are freed by mistake

VICTIMS are still being failed by the justice system when offenders are released in error, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales has warned.

Claire Waxman OBE spoke out after the publication of Dame Lynne Owens’ independent review into releases in error, which was published by the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday (Apr 15). The Government said it had accepted all 33 recommendations in principle and would take forward those that can be delivered within the current spending period.

The review was commissioned after the mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford, but went on to examine wider problems across the prison and justice system. The Government said recent cases had exposed deep-rooted issues and described the number of release errors as unacceptably high, despite a recent reduction.

According to the Ministry of Justice, there were 179 recorded releases in error from prison between April 2025 and March 2026, a fall of 32 per cent compared with the previous year. Ministers said new checks and a dedicated query unit had already helped prevent further mistakes, while £10m has been committed to digital and AI-based tools aimed at reducing errors.

But Ms Waxman said the review had exposed serious failings in the way victims are informed when offenders are released by mistake.

She said: “Mistaken releases are an appalling failure of our justice system. They cause serious distress to victims and undermine trust and confidence in the justice system.

“Dame Lynne Owens’ report exposes serious failings in how victims are informed when offenders are released in error. In some cases, victims were contacted too late – with one learning through social media – because agencies could not identify which victim contact scheme applied or who was responsible for notifying them.

“I welcome the government’s acceptance of the review and the steps being taken to reduce these errors. But when mistakes do occur, it is paramount that victims are informed first, as quickly as possible and through official channels. Victims should never learn through the media, or by chance, that an offender has been released in error.”

The Victims’ Commissioner said victims should always be told first, as quickly as possible and through official channels, rather than finding out through the media or by chance.

She also backed Dame Lynne’s call for a clear national protocol on victim notification and repeated her own long-standing call for the introduction of a unique victim identifier, which she said would allow agencies to identify, track and contact victims more quickly across the justice system.

Without it, she warned, the system could lose sight of victims at the very moment they most need protection.

The Government said the review’s recommendations covered data and digital systems, governance, process improvements, training and culture. It added that further action would be taken in several areas, with some longer-term reforms dependent on future funding decisions.

The Ministry of Justice said it remained committed to reducing the risk of offenders being released in error and returning figures to pre-prison capacity crisis levels.

Long-serving staff member and patient took on 800°C embers to give back to service that has supported her family for years

A MEMBER of staff at Withybush Hospital has raised £528 for Rheumatology Services after taking part in Hywel Dda Health Charities’ firewalk challenge.

Tracy Beynon, who has worked at Withybush for 23 years and has also been a rheumatology patient for 20 years, took part in the barefoot walk across 800°C embers in October to support the department.

She said she had always wanted to try a firewalk and jumped at the chance to do one for her local health board.

Tracy said: “Over the years, I have done some wild things to raise money for various charities, including shaving my head after a Six Nations rugby match 11 years ago.

“Rheumatology have looked after many generations of my family throughout the years, and I wanted to try and give something back to help the team and the patients they serve.

“I was stunned by how much money I raised. After I put a video on TikTok, I had a number of donations from people I have never even met. I will forever be thankful to my friends and family for supporting all of my mad fundraising ideas.”

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer for Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “A huge thank you to Tracy for showing her support to the service that has taken such good care of her for so long.

“The generous charitable donations we receive do not replace NHS funding. Instead, they support additional items and activities outside core NHS expenditure. These small extras make a big difference, and we are so grateful for every donation we receive.”

Hywel Dda Health Charities said donations help provide added items and activities for local NHS patients and staff beyond core NHS spending.

For more information about the charity and how to support local NHS services, visit the Hywel Dda Health Charities website.

First Minister says Welsh Labour’s £100m plan will widen access, ease pressure on parents and avoid the problems seen elsewhere

FIRST MINISTER Eluned Morgan used a visit to a playgroup in Colwyn Bay on Wednesday (Apr 16) to promote Welsh Labour’s pledge to expand childcare in Wales, saying the plan would help working families, support child development and remain within the Welsh Government’s budget.

The Welsh Labour leader said childcare was central to the party’s offer ahead of the Senedd election, with ministers promising a phased £100 million expansion over the next Senedd term.

Under the proposal, funded childcare would be extended to babies from the age of nine months. Welsh Labour says the plan would create 20,000 new funded childcare places across Wales.

At present, the Welsh Government provides up to 30 hours of funded childcare for three and four-year-olds for 48 weeks of the year. Labour says its new approach would widen support while making sure the system remains deliverable.

The party says the expansion would be introduced in phases to ensure that staff, settings and infrastructure are in place, and to avoid the access difficulties seen across the border.

During her visit, Baroness Morgan said the policy would help families with the cost of living while also making it easier for parents to stay in work or return to employment.

She said: “In the middle of a cost of living crisis, childcare is not just a convenience – it is a lifeline for working parents and the foundation of our children’s futures.

“We are putting money back into the pockets of families. While others are making promises that do not add up, we are setting out a measured and sustainable plan that supports providers and gives every child in Wales a fair start.

“Welsh Labour is focused on what we can actually deliver. Plaid’s proposal would leave a massive hole in Wales’ budget, raising serious questions which they need to answer.”

Labour said the Welsh Government had already moved to support childcare providers through a 4.2 per cent increase in the childcare offer rate for 2026-27, following a 28 per cent increase for 2025-26.

It also pointed to the decision to make business rates relief for childcare premises permanent, saying the move would provide longer-term stability for providers across Wales.

The visit formed part of Labour’s wider election messaging, with the party seeking to present its childcare offer as both ambitious and affordable while drawing a clear dividing line with opposition pledges.