Cost-saving claim over prisoner security - Prison Officers Association

Cost-saving measures have jeopardised the security of the prison service, according to the chairman of the Prison Officers Association.

Commenting after two prisoners absconded while on day release at the weekend, Peter McParlin said there was "immense pressure on the system".

One of the men has since been arrested, but Arnold Pickering, 44, is still on the run.

Mr McParlin claimed that overcrowding had caused unsuitable prisoners to be moved to open prisons, 20 prisons had been closed and prison staff numbers had been reduced by 6,000 since 2010.