labourpress:

Yasmin Qureshi MP, Shadow Justice Minister, commenting on the escape of three prisoners from HMP Leyhill and an inspection report into HMP Bedford, said:

“It would appear prison breaks are becoming a weekly occurrence under this Tory Government. Questions will be asked about why three men described as a risk to the public were being held in open conditions?

“Meanwhile, a report on HMP Bedford warns that the recruitment and retention of staff is now beyond crisis point and requires urgent action from ministers.

“Rather than simply publishing a White Paper, people will want to know what the Tories are doing right now to deal with the mess they have created.”

Ends

Notes to editors

Independent Monitoring Board report on HMP Bedford: http://www.imb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Bedford-2015-16.pdf