A convicted criminal remains at large after being mistakenly released from a Derbyshire prison in March 2024, sparking an urgent police manhunt and raising serious questions about prison security protocols.
The Mistaken Release from HMP Sudbury
David Slade, a 50-year-old inmate serving time at HMP Sudbury, was incorrectly freed from the Category D open prison on March 19, 2024. The Ministry of Justice confirmed the administrative error that led to Slade's premature release, though officials have not disclosed the specific nature of the mistake that allowed him to walk free.
Slade had been serving a four-year and three-month sentence imposed at Nottingham Crown Court for multiple offences including burglary, fraud, and theft. His scheduled release date was not until much later this year, making his current status an unlawful liberty that has triggered significant concern among law enforcement agencies.
Nationwide Search Intensifies
Derbyshire Police have launched an extensive operation to locate and apprehend Slade, issuing public appeals and distributing his photograph across law enforcement networks. The force has warned members of the public not to approach the fugitive but to immediately contact authorities if spotted.
Investigators believe Slade has connections across multiple regions, potentially explaining why he has managed to evade capture for several months since his mistaken release. The search has expanded beyond Derbyshire as police pursue various leads about his possible whereabouts.
Prison Service Under Scrutiny
The incident has prompted serious questions about procedural safeguards within the prison system, particularly at open prisons like HMP Sudbury. A Prison Service spokesperson stated: "We are working closely with the police to recapture this prisoner and have put measures in place to prevent this from happening again."
This is not the first security lapse at HMP Sudbury, which has faced previous criticism over escapes and security breaches. The latest incident has intensified calls for a comprehensive review of release verification processes throughout the prison estate.
The ongoing manhunt continues as authorities work to rectify what they've acknowledged as a serious administrative failure that has put a convicted criminal back on the streets months before his scheduled release date.
