Leyhill is an open prison with no secure perimeter and prisoners are not held in secure accommodation. Prisoners who leave the premises without authority or do not return are defined as absconders rather than escapees. Since 1999 there have been 393 absconds. Of those absconds, 25 only remain unlawfully at large. Details of these are provided in the table. The police are notified when prisoners abscond and their details are entered on the Police National Computer.
Offence Date of abscond Possession of a firearm with intent 5 March 2006 Possession of drugs 15 December 2005 Theft 26 November 2005 Possession of drugs 30 October 2005 Robbery 8 September 2005 Customs and Excise evasion (drugs) 31 July 2005 Import of drugs 27 March 2005 Aggravated burglary 27 January 2005 Import of drugs 27 January 2005 Death by reckless driving 19 December 2004 Possession of drugs with intent 2 December 2004 Burglary of a dwelling 27 July 2004 Theft 5 August 2003 Robbery 29 July 2003 Robbery 8 December 2002 Burglary 5 May 2002 Theft 6 September 2001 Murder 5 March 2001 Robbery 18 May 2000 Murder 6 March 1999 Manslaughter 17 February 1999 Murder 6 December 1998 Attempted robbery 5 December 1998 Drugs 26 December 1997 Import drugs 16 May 1997