A prisoner who was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth last week has handed himself back in.

William Smith told ITV News that he was handing himself back in after being accidentally released on Monday, 3 November.

The 35-year-old from Surrey was filmed by ITV News as he returned to the prison on the morning of Thursday, 6 November, accompanied by his partner, whom he hugged before walking to the entrance, where he approached a member of staff.

William Smith was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth on Monday, 3 November (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Details of Smith's mistaken release emerged on Wednesday, 5 November. He had been sentenced to 45 months in prison for multiple fraud offences at Croydon Crown Court on Monday, 3 November, Surrey Police said.

A manhunt began for Smith, described by Surrey Police as a white, bald, and clean-shaven individual, last seen wearing a navy long-sleeve jumper with a Nike 'tick' across the front, navy blue Nike tracksuit bottoms, and black trainers.

Surrey Police confirmed Smith had handed himself back in on Thursday.

In a statement, the force said: "We are cancelling our appeal to help find wanted 35-year-old William Smith, who was released in error from HMP Wandsworth on Monday, 3 November.

"Smith handed himself in to HMP Wandsworth today."

The National Chair of the Prison Officers' Association, Mark Fairhurst, said he understood the mistaken releases were due to "clerical errors.

"Prisons throughout the country are underfunded, understaffed and operating under relentless strain. Dedicated staff are doing their utmost, but too often they are left without the proper support, training or technology to do their jobs safely and effectively."

Another prisoner mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth was also returned to the prison last week.

Brahim Kaddour Cherif was released from HMP Wandsworth in error in October (Credit: Surrey Police)

Brahim Kaddour Cherif, who was released in error from HMP Wandsworth on 29 October, was returned to the prison last Friday (7 November) after the Met was informed by a member of the public that they had seen a man they believed to be Cherif in the vicinity of Capital City College on Blackstock Road in Islington on Tuesday, 4 November.

A manhunt was then launched, Cherif's identity was confirmed, and he was arrested for being unlawfully at large. He was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker in relation to a previous incident.