Police have launched an urgent manhunt after a prisoner absconded from a UK prison. Ashley Young, 32, was reported missing from HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk on Tuesday evening (October 13) after failing to appear at roll call.
Public Appeal Issued
Suffolk Police have issued a photograph of Young and are calling on the public to help track him down. Officers revealed that Young has links to Kent.
He is described as white, roughly 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build, with blue eyes and facial hair.
A Suffolk Police spokesman said: "Anyone who sees Young is asked to call 999 immediately, quoting CAD 294 of 13 October."
"Anyone who has any other information is asked to contact Suffolk police on 101."
Rise in Absconds
The number of escapees and absconders from UK prisons has risen by more than a third over the past year. In the year ending March 2026, there were 78 absconds, a 37% rise compared with the previous 12-month period, according to figures released by the Ministry of Justice.
Of the 78 who absconded, 38% (30 prisoners) stayed on the run for more than 30 days.
During this timeframe there were also 925 temporary release failures, of which 51 were failures to return, and 12 of these were still on the loose after 30 days.
To abscond from prison means to depart from custody covertly and without authorisation, typically from lower-security or open prison environments. It generally refers to an inmate leaving the facility without breaching major physical security measures like fencing or bars.
