Review launched after prisoners abscond from HMP Leyhill
Two still on the run, while investigation into security is underway
Last updated 6th Jan 2026
A review into the circumstances of a New Year’s Day abscondment at HMP Leyhill open prison in South Gloucestershire has been launched after three prisoners escaped, including a convicted murderer.
The prisoners were discovered missing during routine roll checks on 1st January 2026, prompting authorities to take action.
One of the offenders, Aaron Thomas, has since been apprehended and appeared before magistrates on Monday (5 January).
Two others, Matthew Armstrong and Andrew Washbourne, remain at large.
Links to Warwickshire and Herefordshire
The pair have links to Warwickshire and Herefordshire, and members of the public have been warned not to approach them.
Responding to an urgent question in the House of Commons, Alex Davies-Jones, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, confirmed that a review had been commissioned by the prison group director of HMP Leyhill into the incident.
It is expected to be completed within 20 days.
Both Armstrong and Washbourne were deemed suitable for open conditions by recommendations from the independent Parole Board after thorough assessments conducted by qualified prison and probation officials in 2025.
At the time of their transfer, no concerns about public safety or the risk of abscondment were raised.
HMP Leyhill's review is intended to identify any weaknesses
The incident has raised questions among MPs about the safety of moving high-risk violent offenders into category D prisons, which offer less security and aim to prepare inmates for reintegration into society. Davies-Jones defended the use of open prisons as part of the rehabilitation process but emphasised the need to prevent further abscondment.
She outlined measures the Government has taken, including stricter eligibility criteria for open conditions introduced in 2025, mandatory seven-day transfer reviews, and enhanced offender assessments to reduce the risk of escapes. She noted that abscondments from open prisons decreased by 2% last year.
HMP Leyhill's review is intended to identify any weaknesses and ensure security protocols are adequate. The Justice Department is also working with victims and their families through the victim contact scheme while police investigations continue.
Concerns surrounding overcrowding in prisons, which some believe could contribute to poor decisions regarding prisoner placement, have also been highlighted. Davies-Jones added that new rapid deployment cells are expected to come online at Leyhill by summer 2026.
Anyone who sees Armstrong or Washbourne is reminded to avoid contact and immediately notify their local police.