Guidance

Escape and Abscond Policy Frameworks

These policy frameworks provide rules and guidance for prison staff to manage the risk of escapes and absconds. This framework is only applicable to prisons participating in the NSF pilot.

From:
Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service
Published
28 March 2023
Last updated
21 February 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Prevention of Abscond Policy Framework (Open Estate Only)

PDF, 385 KB, 17 pages

Prevention of Abscond Policy Framework (Open Estate Only) annexes

ZIP, 269 KB

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Prevention of Escape Policy Framework - Management of E List

ZIP, 572 KB

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Prevention of Escapes: Management of Internal Security Procedures (open estate)

PDF, 668 KB, 44 pages

Management of Internal Security Procedures (open estate) annexes

ZIP, 1.66 MB

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Prevention of Escapes: Management of Internal Security Procedures to Prevent Escape (closed estate)

PDF, 828 KB, 57 pages

Management of Internal Security Procedures to Prevent Escape (closed estate) annexes

ZIP, 716 KB

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Details

The escape and abscond policy area consist of four policies:

  • Prevention of Abscond (open estate)
  • Management of E-List Prisoners (closed estate)
  • Management of Internal Security Procedures (open estate)
  • Management of Internal Security Procedures to Prevent Escape (closed estate)

These policy frameworks set out instructions and guidance to help staff implement the mandatory requirements when managing the risk of escapes and absconds.

These policy frameworks are only applicable to pilot establishments participating in the National Security Framework Review pilot. These are HMP Holme House, HMP Doncaster, HMP Lewes, HMPYOI Wetherby, HMP Wakefield, HMP Ford and HMP Downview.

These policies and all the supporting documents will be subject to further review, update and approval following the completion of the NSF pilot and evaluation.

Published 28 March 2023
Last updated 21 February 2024 + show all updates

  1. Prevention of Abscond Policy Framework (Open Estate Only) and annexes published.

  2. Frameworks and annexes updated.

  3. Updated to fix bugs in files

  4. Management of Internal Security Procedures to Prevent Escape (closed estate) updated.

  5. First published.

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