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Prison absconder numbers unknown Prison absconder numbers unknown
(10 minutes 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 but such a database would now be developed.Phil Wheatley said there was not an accurate system in place to count the numbers recaptured after absconding but such a database would now be developed.
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.
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.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.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.
We will seek to build a system Phil Wheatley, Prison Service chiefWe will seek to build a system Phil Wheatley, Prison Service chief
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.He said the number of people absconding from open prisons was at its lowest level for more than 10 years.
A central database would not help the service track missing prisoners any more efficiently but one would be created in order to answer future queries, Mr Wheatley added.A central database would not help the service track missing prisoners any more efficiently but one would be created in order to answer future queries, Mr Wheatley added.
"We will seek to build a system," he said. "That will cost us some cash - we will divert it to doing this.""We will seek to build a system," he said. "That will cost us some cash - we will divert it to doing this."
Loophole exposedLoophole exposed
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.The Prison Service admission comes as police hunting two convicted murderers who absconded from an open jail released photos of the pair.
Absconders' photos releasedAbsconders' photos released
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.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".
"We have had open jails for decades and it does seem odd that no system for tracking them is in place," said Napo's Harry Fletcher."We have had open jails for decades and it does seem odd that no system for tracking them is in place," said Napo's Harry Fletcher.
He said overcrowding in the prison system had led to an increase in inmates being transferred to open jails since October and it would be "wise" to update IT systems.He said overcrowding in the prison system had led to an increase in inmates being transferred to open jails since October and it would be "wise" to update IT systems.
BBC political correspondent Sean Curran said the state of the prison service had been a big political issue in 2006 and it was likely to remain under scrutiny this year.BBC political correspondent Sean Curran said the state of the prison service had been a big political issue in 2006 and it was likely to remain under scrutiny this year.
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.
More than 300 wrongly released foreign prisoners, including a murderer, are still being sought, he said.More than 300 wrongly released foreign prisoners, including a murderer, are still being sought, he said.
But he added they were mostly "minor" offenders and three of the four murderers had now been arrested.But he added they were mostly "minor" offenders and three of the four murderers had now been arrested.