§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the general policy of precluding the release of the names and offences of prisoners who have escaped was adopted and in what circumstances such names are released.
§ Baroness BlatchResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter to Lord Marlesford from A. J. Pearson, Director of Security and Programmes, the Prison Service.
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the policy of precluding the release of names and offences of prisoners who have escaped.
The names of prisoners who have escaped from prison in England and Wales are omitted from published details—which also includes the offence and other details about the sentence to avoid prejudicing any subsequent trial.
The practice was adopted following a review of procedures. Names are generally released immediately following the discovery of any escape to assist recapture.