This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6050530.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Open prison absconder in custody Open prison absconder in custody
(20 minutes later)
Police have arrested a convicted robber who absconded from Prescoed open prison on the day he was transferred to the Monmouthshire jail.Police have arrested a convicted robber who absconded from Prescoed open prison on the day he was transferred to the Monmouthshire jail.
Barry Francis Bowyer, 32, walked out of the jail on Thursday evening. He is the ninth inmate to do so in the past three months.Barry Francis Bowyer, 32, walked out of the jail on Thursday evening. He is the ninth inmate to do so in the past three months.
Gwent Police said Bowyer was arrested in Newport at 2030 BST on Friday.Gwent Police said Bowyer was arrested in Newport at 2030 BST on Friday.
The Home Office said all prisoners that were sent to open prisons were "rigorously risk assessed".The Home Office said all prisoners that were sent to open prisons were "rigorously risk assessed".
Bowyer was convicted of robbery and assault at Northampton Crown Court in May 2004.Bowyer was convicted of robbery and assault at Northampton Crown Court in May 2004.
Usk Town Council said it had been told that the prisoner had walked out within hours of being sent to the prison on Thursday.Usk Town Council said it had been told that the prisoner had walked out within hours of being sent to the prison on Thursday.
RECENT MISSING PRISONERS 11 July - Lee Dewhurst - convicted of murder - arrested Jersey, 21 September28 July - John Elms and Martin Aspinall - child sex offences - arrested near Usk, 30 July29 July - Marc Barnett - burglary - arrested 30 July near Usk3 August - 44-year-old - grievous bodily harm - arrested 8 August17 August - 33-year-old unnamed man - dishonesty and driving offences - still missing3 September - Harvey Willets - drug offences - still missing10 October - Dale Lent, 23 - assault - still missing12 October - Barry Bowyer - assault/robbery - arrested
Sup John Burleigh said: "Bowyer is currently in police custody. Gwent Police took immediate action after being notified that the individual had absconded.Sup John Burleigh said: "Bowyer is currently in police custody. Gwent Police took immediate action after being notified that the individual had absconded.
"The operational plan was activated with the aim of locating Bowyer and dedicated resources were put in place to locate him.""The operational plan was activated with the aim of locating Bowyer and dedicated resources were put in place to locate him."
'High performing' prison
Earlier this week, prisons minister Gerry Sutcliffe agreed to meet Usk councillors to discuss concerns about inmates absconding from Prescoed.Earlier this week, prisons minister Gerry Sutcliffe agreed to meet Usk councillors to discuss concerns about inmates absconding from Prescoed.
Since July, nine prisoners have absconded from the Monmouthshire jail, including child rapists John Elms and Martin Aspinall, and murderer Lee Dewhurst.Since July, nine prisoners have absconded from the Monmouthshire jail, including child rapists John Elms and Martin Aspinall, and murderer Lee Dewhurst.
Elms, Aspinall and Dewhurst were all found and returned to prison.Elms, Aspinall and Dewhurst were all found and returned to prison.
A Home Office spokesman said absconding rates from open prisons were falling.A Home Office spokesman said absconding rates from open prisons were falling.
Prescoed was also recognised earlier this year "as an exceptionally high-performing prison in the Prison Service's performance ratings", he said.Prescoed was also recognised earlier this year "as an exceptionally high-performing prison in the Prison Service's performance ratings", he said.