Written question asked by Mark Pritchard (Conservative) on Monday, 2 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 June 2008. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Monday, 9 June 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Open Prisons: Prisoner Escapes

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners in England and Wales absconded from open prisons between April 2007 and April 2008.

Answer: 510 prisoners absconded from open prisons in England and Wales between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008. This represents the lowest number of absconds since centralised recording of these statistics began in 1995.Over 95 per cent. of those prisoners who have absconded return or are returned to custody. Prisoners are classed as ““absconders”” if they absent themselves from prison 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.Absconders who are recaptured are referred to the police and CPS and are either prosecuted or if the Police/CPS decide not to proceed they will face internal disciplinary procedures where they can be given additional days in prison.

Secondary information