Over 290 inmates abscond from open centres

More than 290 prisoners have absconded from the country’s two open centres since 2010 – and 15 remain at large.

Figures show that three prisoners have left so far this year, none of whom have been tracked down yet.

Prison Service figures show there has been a massive reduction in the numbers absconding, from 112 in 2010 to just 11 in 2014.

The figures relate to inmates who have absconded from the open centres of Loughan House and Shelton Abbey. It does not relate to prisoners who have escaped from the country’s 11 closed prisons.

Loughan House is located at Blacklion in Co Cavan, while Shelton Abbey is in Arklow, Co Wicklow.

Figures provided by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, in reply to a parliamentary question by Bernard Durkan TD, show a steady and substantial drop in the number absconding: From 112 in 2010, to 86 in 2011, to 63 in 2013, and to 11 in 2014. There have been three this year to date.

Annual figures for those at large from 2010-2014 are seven, one, two, zero, two, and three respectively. The 15 still on the run represent 5% of the total number who fled.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “Experience has shown the vast majority of offenders who abscond return voluntarily or are returned to custody to complete their sentences within a short timeframe.”

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