An open prison from which a convicted murderer escaped from last week has been praised in a report by prison inspectors.
Wyndham Thomas, 33, who was convicted for an aggravated burglary and murder in 1997 went on the run from HMP Prescoed last week. He was eventually arrested at an address in Caerphilly.
A report published today into HMP Prescoed and HMP Usk, which are managed jointly, found they were “safe and purposeful prisons.”
The report pre-dates the recent escape with the inspection carried out between April 19 and April 23.
HMP Usk is a closed category C training prison, mainly holding sex offenders, while Prescoed is an open prison, focused on resettling prisoners into the community.
Nigel Newcomen, deputy chief inspector of prisons, said: “This is a very positive report on both Usk and Prescoed. Levels of safety were impressive, and relationships between staff and prisoners excellent.
“Both sites offered plenty of purposeful activity, and there was extensive use of release on temporary licence to support resettlement at Prescoed.
“At Usk, there were a number of significant weaknesses in resettlement that needed to be addressed. Nonetheless, staff and managers deserve considerable praise for what they have achieved at two disparate sites.”
Michael Spurr, chief executive officer of the national offender management service (NOMS), said: “I am pleased that the deputy chief inspector recognises that HMP Usk and Prescoed are maintaining a safe, secure and positive environment despite the challenges the prisons have in managing very different populations.
“The work that Usk and Prescoed do with the men they hold means that the public are better protected. Constructive relations with prisoners, education and purposeful activity all reduce the chances of re-offending. The Governor and staff will continue to work hard to make further improvements, especially in the area of resettlement.”