Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) absconds and (b) escapes took place from each prison in the last five years; and what offences had been committed by the people who absconded or escaped in each such case.

The numbers of escapes and absconds from prison is published here – https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/338951/prison-performance-digest-2013-14.xls

The number of escapes and absconds from prison has fallen from 22 escapes and 2,995 absconds in the period prior to April 2009, to 8 escapes and 1,103 absconds in the 5 year period from April 2009 – March 2014.

The tables attached show the number of (a) absconds and (b) escapes taking place by prison in the five year period between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2014 together with the offence for which the prisoner was serving a prison sentence when he or she escaped or absconded.