At a glance
- Two prisoners — Brahim Kaddour-Cherif and Billy Smith — have been mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth, reigniting scrutiny of the troubled London jail, which has faced repeated security and administrative failures.
- The prison has a history of major incidents, including the 2023 escape of Iranian spy Daniel Khalife, overcrowding, poor security, and staff shortages, leading to its placement under special measures.
- Recent inspections show some progress under new leadership, but watchdogs warn that chronic understaffing, deteriorating infrastructure, and unsafe conditions continue to undermine improvements.
