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?
House of Commons · Urgent Question
HMP Leyhill Offender Abscondments 2026-01-05
05 January 2026 · 16 other contributors
Opened by Robert Jenrick Con Newark
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
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.
Key points
- Concerns raised about public safety due to two dangerous offenders, including a convicted murderer, absconding from HMP Leyhill on New Year's Day 2026.
- A review is being commissioned by the prison group director for HMP Leyhill and will be completed within 20 days.
- Three prisoners absconded from HMP Leyhill on January 1, 2026; one has been arrested, while the others remain at large.
How the debate unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Other contributors (16)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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