Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the names are of all prisoners who have absconded from prison and currently not been returned; and if he will specify in each such case (a) the offence each absconder originally committed and (b) the length of custodial sentence they were serving when they absconded.

Prisoners are classed as ‘absconders’ if they absent themselves from Prison Service custody without lawful authority and without having to overcome a physical security barrier such as a secure perimeter fence or by security escort staff.

Data on absconders who were still at large was published in July 2019 and can be found here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/820252/01_Escapes_Absconds.xlsx

This shows that between April 2018 and March 2019 there are seven absconders known to have not been recaptured. We are not able to release the prisoner’s names as this is personal data, however please see their offence group and length of sentence served.

Public protection is our top priority. When a prisoner absconds, police are immediately notified and are responsible for locating the offender, with most absconders quickly recaptured and returned to custody.

Those who are recaptured face serious consequences, including being returned to closed prison conditions where they may serve up to two additional years on conviction. Prisoners subject to parole decisions will likely face even longer delays to their release.

Prisoners must be individually risk assessed and only those who are assessed as low risk and trustworthy and who are generally within two years of release may be categorised for open conditions. Those with an indeterminate sentence generally must have a recommendation from the Parole Board for allocation to open prison.