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Written question asked by Lord Herbert of South Downs (Conservative) on Friday, 22 February 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 February 2008. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 February 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.


Open Prisons: Prisoner Escapes

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how his Department defines a prisoner in an open prison who absconds and fails to return.
Answer

Prisoners are classed as 'absconders' if they absent themselves from Prison Service custody without lawful authority and without overcoming physical security restraints such as that provided by fence, locks, bolts and bars, a secure vehicle, handcuffs or direct supervision of staff. This latter category are classed as escapes.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
189817; 472 c1715W
Session
2007-08
Subjects
Prisoner escapes Open prisons
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk