Written questions

Prisoner Escapes

Commons · Question 123038 · Tabled 23 Mar 2026 · Ministry of Justice · Official record

Answered 1 Apr 2026

Question

Asked by James McMurdock

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential risk to public safety posed by prisoners who escape custody and remain at large for over 30 days.

Answer

Answered by Jake Richards, 1 Apr 2026

Public protection is our top priority. The number of escapes from prison establishments and prisoner escorts is very low. If a prisoner escapes or absconds, the police are immediately notified and are responsible for locating the offender. Those who escap...