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.
