Armed robber, David Blood, is currently on the run after escaping from Ford in West Sussex. Police announced they believe Mr Blood poses a threat to the public and are advising people not to approach him.
The 48 year old was sentenced to life in 2003 after robbing a post office in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands in December 2000.
It is the second time Blood has escaped from an open prison. In 2012 he went missing from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire and was on the run for 3 months before being caught.
Absconds are down 80% over the past 10 years however the Ministry of Justice says “each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency.”
The spate of recent escapes raises the question of whether it is appropriate to hold violent, long term prisoners in open prisons.
Recently Michael Wheatley, known as Skullcracker, carried out an armed raid on a building society after escaping from an open prison. It is believed he targeted the same building society that he had raided in 2001.
Wheatley had been given temporary release from the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, only to board a high speed train to London. He was caught 5 days later when staff at the Chelsea building society called 999.
Other recent escapes from Ford open prison include Simon Rhodes-Butler, 37, who was serving 7 years for attacking a man and robbing him and Kevin Brown, 54, who was serving a life sentence after being convicted of a violent robbery.
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said last night: “The Justice Secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has already ordered major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility.”
Open prison are used to rehabilitate long-term offenders after serving time in closed prisons. Open prisons often have minimal supervision and can enable inmates to take up training or outside employment.
The use of open prisons has come under fire from politicians and members of the public for being too liberal and for putting the general public at risk of convicted criminals.