§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the number and type of offences committed by those who have absconded from open prisons in the past five years. [76297]
§ Mr. George HowarthPrior to 1 April 1997, no central information is available that provides details of any further offences committed while unlawfully at large. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
From 1 April 1997, prison establishments have been responsible for reporting details of absconds and returns to lawful custody, along with any known further offences to Prison Service headquarters. The accuracy of the information available cannot be guaranteed as prisons are not always aware of offences committed while a prisoner is unlawfully at large, and such offences may not come to light until some time after the prisoner's return to custody.
The available information from 1 April 1997 is given in the tables.
Absconders from open prisons April 1997 to 31 March 1998 1 April 1998 to 10 March 1999 Prisoners who absconded from open prisons 984 783 Recapture/Surrenders 909 632 Of which on return to lawful custody, were charged with further offence(s) committed whilst unlawfully at large 182 109
Type of offence committed whilst unlawfully at large since 1 April 1997 Offence Total Assault 12 Drugs offences 14 Firearm offences 2 Public Order offences 2 Rape/Attempted rape 2 Robbery 5 Theft/Burglary 134 Vehicle crime/RTA 68 Other offences 52 291