Fifth inmate absconds from prison

Prescoed houses up to 170 prisoners in open conditions

A prisoner has absconded from Prescoed open prison in Monmouthshire - the fifth to do so in the last three weeks.

The Home Office said the 33-year-old inmate - sentenced for dishonesty and driving offences - failed to return while out on licence.

In July two child rapists were among four abscondees. All were recaptured.

Local MP and AM David Davies said the latest incident underlined his view that serious offenders should not be housed there.

Gwent Police said the man was not considered a risk to the public.

"Inquiries are being made to trace him," said police.

"He is not a sex offender. He was sentenced for dishonesty and driving offences."

Prescoed houses up to 170 prisoners in open conditions close to the town of Usk.

Mr Davies said: "If you are going to put dangerous paedophiles into a place like that there is a risk they will escape, and the last time it happened two child rapists escaped.

"Fortunately they were caught within a week and they had not recommitted any offence but we cannot guarantee that is not going to happen again.

"I don't think it is fair on the people of Usk that they should have to put up with this.

"Sex offenders should be kept in high security prisons for as long as possible. You can rehabilitate people inside a secure prison."

Usk town councillor Tony Kear said the town's residents were concerned about the issue of overcrowding in secure prisons and what that meant for Prescoed.

"Potentially, these prisoners may be pushed through the system and we could have more people in Prescoed."