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Prison chief admission on missing Prison absconder numbers unknown
(about 4 hours later)
The director general of the Prison Service has admitted that he does not know exactly how many inmates are on the run from open jails.The director general of the Prison Service has admitted that he does not know exactly how many inmates are on the run from open jails.
Phil Wheatley said there was not an accurate system in place to count the numbers recaptured after absconding from such institutions.Phil Wheatley said there was not an accurate system in place to count the numbers recaptured after absconding from such institutions.
Classed as Category D, open prisons have a more relaxed security regime.Classed as Category D, open prisons have a more relaxed security regime.
Almost 700 offenders absconded in the year to last April from England's 15 open prisons, Mr Wheatley estimated.Almost 700 offenders absconded in the year to last April from England's 15 open prisons, Mr Wheatley estimated.
Mr Wheatley said he was "embarrassed" to admit he was unable to provide an accurate figure because there is no central database for recording numbers of recaptured prisoners. Earlier this week, the Home Office, replying to a Freedom of Information Act request, said 401 of the prisoners remained at large when figures were compiled last May.
But Mr Wheatley said he was "embarrassed" to admit he was unable to provide an accurate figure because there is no central database for recording numbers of recaptured prisoners.
'Majority arrested''Majority arrested'
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said absconding was a daily occurrence in open prisons - in the last financial year, 693 inmates went missing.BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said absconding was a daily occurrence in open prisons - in the last financial year, 693 inmates went missing.
The prisons are often used to prepare low-risk inmates for release.The prisons are often used to prepare low-risk inmates for release.
This week, the Home Office, replying to a Freedom of Information Act request, said 401 of the prisoners remained at large when figures were compiled last May. href="/1/hi/england/derbyshire/6234223.stm" class="">Absconders' photos released
Mr Wheatley said there was no centralised system
Mr Wheatley said then that the "vast majority" of inmates who abscond were "arrested promptly".Mr Wheatley said then that the "vast majority" of inmates who abscond were "arrested promptly".
He said the number of people absconding from open prisons was at its lowest level for more than 10 years.
Although others are likely to have been caught since then, the failure to capture prisoners early will fuel concerns about whether open prisons are being used appropriately, our correspondent said.Although others are likely to have been caught since then, the failure to capture prisoners early will fuel concerns about whether open prisons are being used appropriately, our correspondent said.
Seventy criminals, including three murderers, absconded from one open prison, Ford Open Prison, in West Sussex in 2006, the Home Office said.Seventy criminals, including three murderers, absconded from one open prison, Ford Open Prison, in West Sussex in 2006, the Home Office said.
The Prison Service admission comes as police hunting two convicted murderers who absconded from an open jail released photos of the pair.
Jason Croft, also known as Jason Fox, 28, from Salford and Michael Nixon, also 28, of Blackley, Manchester, left Sudbury Prison in Derbyshire last year.
The Probation Officers' Union, Napo, said the Home Office's policy of transferring prisoners to open jails to ease overcrowding in jails needed to "urgently reviewed".The Probation Officers' Union, Napo, said the Home Office's policy of transferring prisoners to open jails to ease overcrowding in jails needed to "urgently reviewed".
The issue of foreign prisoners being released rather than deported led to the sacking of Home Secretary Charles Clarke in 2006.The issue of foreign prisoners being released rather than deported led to the sacking of Home Secretary Charles Clarke in 2006.
Mr Clarke was sacked after more than 1,013 foreign prisoners were released without being considered for deportation.Mr Clarke was sacked after more than 1,013 foreign prisoners were released without being considered for deportation.
His replacement as home secretary, John Reid, told the home affairs committee last month that loophole had now been closed.His replacement as home secretary, John Reid, told the home affairs committee last month that loophole had now been closed.