A Review into HMP Leyhill, an open prison near Bristol, has been initiated following the escape of three inmates, including a convicted murderer, on New Year's Day. The government has confirmed that a review will be conducted within 20 days, led by junior minister Alex Davies-Jones from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The escape sparked a police manhunt, with one inmate, Aaron Thomas, 39, arrested in Bristol two days later and charged with escaping lawful custody. The other two inmates, Daniel Washbourne, 40, and convicted murderer Matthew Armstrong, 35, remain at large. The pair have connections to Warwickshire and Herefordshire, and the public is advised not to approach them but to call 999 if spotted. The MoJ has stated that there was no prior intelligence regarding the potential escape, and the inmates were moved to open conditions in 2025 after recommendations from the independent Parole Board, which conducts thorough risk assessments. However, questions have been raised about the suitability of the men's release, with Liberal Democrat spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller criticizing the MoJ's incompetence and the decision to place a convicted murderer with a history of violence in an open prison. The crisis in prison capacity and the reasons behind the men's transfer are under scrutiny, with the MoJ defending its decisions and emphasizing the reduction in prison escapes over the past five years.
