Number of on-the-run jail absconders still unknown

A number of inmates have absconded from the jail, including six in just over a month

The Ministry of Justice has failed to reveal how many prisoners are still on the run from an open jail.

At least six men have absconded from Spring Hill Prison, at Grendon Underwood, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire in just over the space of a month, including one on Monday.

The BBC asked how many prisoners were still on the run from the jail, but the Home Office failed to answer.

Instead, it offered a brief statement, attributed to a Prison Service spokesperson, saying only: "Prisoners who abscond face strict punishments, including being banned from open prisons for two years."

Thames Valley Police said Lee Mellenger, who was jailed for robbery and possession of an offensive weapon, escaped HMP Springhill on Monday

The most recent reported absconder is Lee Mellenger, who left the prison at about 07:15 BST on Monday, according to Thames Valley Police.

Mellenger, 27, is about 5ft 7in (1.7m) tall, of slim build and known to frequent the Milton Keynes and Birmingham areas.

He has a 'MUM' tattoo on his left hand and a cross tattoo on his right leg and was last seen wearing a light blue/grey tracksuit, black trainers and a grey/green puffer jacket with a fur hood.

On 23 July the force issued an appeal to trace two men who absconded from the open prison hours apart.

On 25 June the force issued another appeal to help locate three inmates who absconded at the same time.

However, the BBC has reported on other missing prisoners, who the police have also not confirmed are back in custody.

The Howard League for Penal Reform said that "open prisons play an important role in reducing crime because they allow people who are nearing the end of long sentences to experience a return to the community in a limited and controlled way".