Sadiq Khan MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, commenting on news that two prisoners have absconded from HMP Kennet, said:

“The top priority is for the authorities to catch these two men as quickly as possible. This further incident, coming only a matter of weeks after the Michael Wheatley fiasco, will cause the public huge concern. The government still haven’t answered the big questions about whether public safety is being put at risk by letting the wrong prisoners out on temporary release.

"These types of incidents are becoming a habit on David Cameron’s Government’s watch. For almost twenty years there was no Category A prisoner escape, yet on their watch that has changed. With government policy meaning worse overcrowding and slashed staffing levels the fear is that this cutting of corners is putting the public at risk as a result.”

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