Suffolk Police have launched an urgent manhunt for a prisoner who absconded from HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk. Ashley Young, 32, was reported missing on Tuesday evening (October 13) after he failed to appear at a roll call.
The force has released an image of Young and is asking for the public's help to trace him. Police said Young has connections to Kent.
Description of the missing prisoner
Young is described as white, approximately 5ft 10ins, of medium build, with blue eyes and a beard.
A spokesperson for Suffolk Police 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 from UK prisons
The number of escapees and absconders from UK prisons has increased by over a third over the past year. In the year ending March 2026, there were 78 absconds, a 37% increase when compared with the previous 12-month period, according to data published by the Ministry of Justice.
Of the 78 who absconded, 38% (30 prisoners) remained at large for over 30 days. During this period there were also 925 temporary release failures, of which 51 were failures to return, and 12 of these were still at large after 30 days.
What it means to abscond
To abscond from prison means to leave from custody secretly and without permission, often from lower-security or open prison conditions. It usually refers to a prisoner leaving the prison without overcoming major physical security restraints like fences or bars.
