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Police search Buckinghamshire as third inmate absconds from open prison Police search Buckinghamshire as third inmate absconds from open prison
(about 3 hours later)
Police are searching for three men who absconded from open prisons.Police are searching for three men who absconded from open prisons.
Wayne McLeod, 36, went missing from Springhill prison in Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire, between 5.15pm and 8.15pm on Sunday, Thames Valley police said.Wayne McLeod, 36, went missing from Springhill prison in Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire, between 5.15pm and 8.15pm on Sunday, Thames Valley police said.
Police believe McLeod may be in Reading, Berkshire, but did not say why he was serving a jail term.Police believe McLeod may be in Reading, Berkshire, but did not say why he was serving a jail term.
He is black, 5ft 11in, heavily built with brown eyes, and is clean shaven with black, cropped hair, police said.He is black, 5ft 11in, heavily built with brown eyes, and is clean shaven with black, cropped hair, police said.
Two men went missing from Hollesley Bay prison in Woodbridge, Suffolk, within 48 hours. On Saturday, Hollesley Bay contacted Suffolk police just after 1pm reporting that 49-year-old Paul Oddysses had left the prison at about 12.30pm.Two men went missing from Hollesley Bay prison in Woodbridge, Suffolk, within 48 hours. On Saturday, Hollesley Bay contacted Suffolk police just after 1pm reporting that 49-year-old Paul Oddysses had left the prison at about 12.30pm.
Oddysses, who was serving a life sentence for attempted robbery and robbery with a firearm, is described as white, about 5ft 6ins, of thin build, with brown hair, brown eyes and clean shaven. Lewis Powter was found to have absconded from the same prison at 8.30pm on Sunday.Oddysses, who was serving a life sentence for attempted robbery and robbery with a firearm, is described as white, about 5ft 6ins, of thin build, with brown hair, brown eyes and clean shaven. Lewis Powter was found to have absconded from the same prison at 8.30pm on Sunday.
The 30-year-old, who has a Dennis the Menace tattoo on his right arm, was last seen at 6.50pm and was not present for the 8pm roll check, police said.The 30-year-old, who has a Dennis the Menace tattoo on his right arm, was last seen at 6.50pm and was not present for the 8pm roll check, police said.
He was serving an indeterminate sentence for grievous bodily harm with intent, and is described as white, around 5ft 10ins, of medium build, with brown hair, blue eyes and is clean shaven.He was serving an indeterminate sentence for grievous bodily harm with intent, and is described as white, around 5ft 10ins, of medium build, with brown hair, blue eyes and is clean shaven.
The last time Powter was seen he was wearing a blue jumper with a white T-shirt underneath, blue jeans and white Ralph Lauren trainers. He has connections in the Cambridgeshire area, police said.The last time Powter was seen he was wearing a blue jumper with a white T-shirt underneath, blue jeans and white Ralph Lauren trainers. He has connections in the Cambridgeshire area, police said.
Following Oddysses's disappearance, a Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "The justice secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has ordered immediate and major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility.Following Oddysses's disappearance, a Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "The justice secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has ordered immediate and major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility.
"Absconds have reached record lows under this government – down 80% over the last 10 years – but each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency."Absconds have reached record lows under this government – down 80% over the last 10 years – but each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency.
"Open prisons and temporary licence are an important tool in rehabilitating long term offenders but not at the expense of public safety.""Open prisons and temporary licence are an important tool in rehabilitating long term offenders but not at the expense of public safety."
The shadow justice secretary, Labour's Sadiq Khan said: "The number of absconds over recent weeks is both shocking and alarming. Public confidence in our justice system has been dented and, even worse, the safety of communities up and down the country has been endangered.
"I've little doubt that corners are being cut. [Justice secretary] Chris Grayling has shown he is not fit for purpose. He has relaxed the rules on temporary release, closed down more than a dozen prisons and cut 6,000 prison staff while prison numbers have remained high. Overcrowding and violence are at crisis levels. The wrong prisoners are being pushed into open prisons and let out on licence. We warned that the public's safety could be endangered as a result of this governments policies and today's reports are a very worrying development. We need a full and independent inquiry into what has led to these recent failings.
"Grayling has all the wrong priorities. He bans sending books to prisoners but can't do the bread and butter things right like keeping criminals in jail. And he can't even say whether his latest announcement to change the rules would have make any difference. Some of those who have recently absconded would still be sent to open jails and let out on licence, in the future."
Members of the public have been asked to call police on 101, quoting 1403 of 25 May, or Crimestoppers on 0800 55511, if they see McLeod or know of his whereabouts.Members of the public have been asked to call police on 101, quoting 1403 of 25 May, or Crimestoppers on 0800 55511, if they see McLeod or know of his whereabouts.