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HMP Leyhill Offender Abscondments 2026-01-05
05 January 2026
Lead MP
Robert Jenrick
Debate Type
Urgent Question
Tags
Justice & Courts
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Robert Jenrick raised concerns about hmp leyhill offender abscondments 2026-01-05 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm the implications for public safety following the admission that two dangerous offenders, including a convicted murderer, absconded from HMP Leyhill on New Year's Day?
Robert Jenrick
Con
Newark
Question
Why was a murderer, who had led a prison riot and repeatedly attacked officers, deemed safe for open conditions? Why did it take two days to alert the police?
Minister reply
The Government takes absconding seriously. We follow prevention of abscond policy frameworks. The Parole Board conducts thorough risk assessments before recommending transfers to open prisons.
Andy Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
Will the government review policies for moving prisoners to open prisons earlier in sentences due to overcrowding?
Minister reply
We have been transparent about our strategy to deal with prison capacity issues. Open prisons are part of rehabilitation efforts, though we will ensure prisons do not reach breaking point again through reforms proposed in the Sentencing Bill.
Chichester
Question
Why was Matthew Armstrong, a convicted murderer with a violent history, moved to an open prison? Are there reviews of criteria for such transfers?
Minister reply
Transfers are made in response to Parole Board recommendations after thorough risk assessments. The Secretary of State can reject these but needs evidence to dispute the board’s assessment.
Alex McIntyre
Lab
Gloucester
Question
What steps has the Minister taken to ensure prisoners are returned to custody after absconding?
Minister reply
Whenever an abscond happens, a rapid review will take place. A rapid review is taking place into the absconds at HMP Leyhill and it will be done within 20 days.
Solihull West and Shirley
Question
What measures have been taken to tighten arrangements following five abscondments from Leyhill?
Minister reply
A rapid review is taking place into the absconds at HMP Leyhill, which will be completed within 20 days.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
Question
Does the Minister agree that absconding is a symptom of the broken-down prison system inherited from the previous Government?
Minister reply
The levels are decreasing due to strong and robust frameworks on absconding prisoners. We inherited a prison system on the brink of collapse and have taken immediate action days after coming into office.
Esther McVey
Con
Tatton
Question
How can dangerous prisoners be in open prisons?
Minister reply
The Parole Board makes independent decisions regarding the movement of prisoners to open prisons and no concerns were raised about risk at the time of those assessments.
Derby North
Question
Is absconding a symptom of years of austerity and underfunding?
Minister reply
Absconding is another symptom of the crisis inherited in our criminal justice system due to 14 years of underfunding and mismanagement by the Conservative party.
Sarah Pochin
Reform
Runcorn and Helsby
Question
What steps are being taken to ensure prisons are adequately staffed with trained guards?
Minister reply
We are investing in prison officers, who deserve our praise for working in difficult conditions. We also invest in the technology necessary to help them perform their daily tasks.
Emily Darlington
Lab
Milton Keynes Central
Question
What is the consequence for absconding from an open prison?
Minister reply
Being in an open prison is a privilege as part of rehabilitation. Those who abscond will be returned to closed conditions and could have more time added to their sentences.
Blake Stephenson
Con
Mid Bedfordshire
Question
What resources are being deployed to capture absconded offenders?
Minister reply
When a prisoner absconds from open conditions, the prison must notify the police immediately. Local governors maintain constant communication with local police forces for efforts to locate prisoners.
Perran Moon
Lab
Camborne and Redruth
Question
What did the previous Government do to clamp down on absconds?
Minister reply
The previous Government failed to get to grips with this issue, resulting in a crisis. The number of absconds has decreased under Labour’s record.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Question
What specific steps have the Government taken to reduce the rate of absconsions?
Minister reply
Changes were introduced in April 2025 including strengthening mandatory checks and upping assessments necessary for a prisoner to be moved into open prison. We also invested £700 million in probation.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Question
What is being done to support and train prison staff?
Minister reply
We are working with the trade unions to ensure prison staff have all necessary equipment, tools, and training to ensure the number of absconsions comes down.
Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire
Question
With new rapid deployment cells expected to be online at Leyhill by the summer, will she also meet me to discuss what steps the Government are taking to ensure that those cells will not be used for high-risk prisoners, and to increase security to prevent escapes?
Minister reply
I will ensure that she receives a meeting with the appropriate Minister to discuss her concerns further, and a review into the absconsions at HMP Leyhill will be done within 10 days.
Government Response
A happy new year to you and all in the House. On January 1, 2026, three prisoners absconded from HMP Leyhill: Mr Thomas, Mr Washbourne, and Mr Armstrong. This was discovered during routine roll checks and followed up immediately; one has been arrested, while others remain at large. A review is being commissioned by the prison group director for HMP Leyhill, which will be completed within 20 days. The individuals had moved to open conditions following recommendations from the independent Parole Board after thorough risk assessments deemed them suitable. We are working with victims and their families through relevant channels.
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