A prisoner released early from HMP Wandsworth was instantly re-arrested by police as he left the facility, dramatic new footage shows.
Some 1,700 criminals have been handed their freedom early by the Labour Government in a controversial move meant to ease up a nationwide overcrowding crisis.
But in a clip captured by TV cameras lying in wait outside the southwest London jail, one freshly-liberated inmate was only afforded a few seconds of freedom before lurking police officers cuffed him once again.
Crowds of youths had descended outside the Victorian prison yesterday morning to greet their associates upon their early release.
And GB News' National Reporter Charlie Peters was at the scene, where he witnessed those loitering outside enjoying Champagne and smoking cannabis as their peers were let out.
But the group of youths outside HMP Wandsworth were left shocked when the man - caught on camera by the BBC - was cuffed by police immediately.
The former inmate, clad in a grey tracksuit, was seen being walked away out of sight - leaving onlookers puzzled.
Upon further enquiry, the Metropolitan Police told GB News: "A 28-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday, September 10 on suspicion of rape, sexual assault and a racially or religiously aggravated public order offence.
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"He was taken to a south London police station before being bailed pending further enquiries in relation to the allegation of rape.
"No further action will be taken in connection with the other allegations."
Among those raising concerns over the scenes outside prisons across Britain yesterday was the Chancellor.
Rachel Reeves detailed her "anger" at the situation witnessed on Tuesday - but told GB News the blame lay with the previous Conservative Government.
Speaking to GB News' political editor Christopher Hope, Reeves said: "It makes me really angry the inheritance that the previous Government left - whether it's the £22billion black hole in public finances, or failing to build the prison places that are necessary to keep criminals locked up.
"We will make sure that we those prison places are available - but we have had to make the tough decisions to clear up the awful mess the previous Government left for us."
But Tories have weighed in too - commenting on the footage from outside HMP Wandsworth, Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick said: "Today is a day of shame for our criminal justice system. The solution is simple: build more prisons and lock up prolific offenders for longer."
While fellow hopeful James Cleverly jabbed: "The fact is Labour have bowed to pressure. They've taken what they thought was the easy option and we are now living with the consequences. This is about poor decision-making by the Labour Party."
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