BY LIAM COLLINS
Faulty court information has been blamed for the mistaken release of a wanted man to Newcastle.
35-year-old inmate Kyle Quayle was handed down a year sentence at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday 14 April for larceny, assault, and other crimes.
He was taken to Clarence Correctional Centre in Grafton, but was mistakenly released later the same day.
On Thursday, NSW Police announced following his release they believed Quayle travelled from Grafton to Newcastle, prompting a subsequent city-wide manhunt.
He was later captured on Boreas Street at Hamilton North on Thursday afternoon, where he was subsequently charged at Newcastle Police Station by virtue of an outstanding warrant.
The mistake was attributed to an administrative error and miscommunication between the involved parties, with the specific error still undisclosed, with NSW Premier Chris Minns labelling the incident as "embarrassing."
Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the mistake should've never happened.
"It's unacceptable that an inmate was inadvertently released," he said.
"But fortunately, to the good work of NSW Police and others, the inmate has been recaptured and is now in custody."
Quayle was refused bail and expects to face trial today.
Minister Chanthivong explained the incident was a failure and the government plans to take steps to address and mitigate the issue.
"When instances like this happen they are concerning," he added.
"Corrections will always look for ways to improve our processes to make sure that mistakes are not made, because community safety is the Minns Labor Government's top priority."
Investigations are now underway into how Quayle was allowed to be released, with plans to prevent similar occurrences under development.
