A prison has been forced to replace every cell door lock at a cost of £500,000 after a member of staff left the facility with a set of keys.
The security breach at HMP Warren Hill, a Category C prison in Suffolk, triggered a major incident at the institution.
Taxpayers now face the hefty bill for locksmiths to fit new bolts throughout the prison after the worker departed with the keys in his pocket, apparently without realising he had them.
The prison currently houses approximately 270 male offenders.
The vast majority, 93 per cent, are approaching the conclusion of their life terms.
The facility accommodates individuals convicted of the most serious offences, including those serving sentences for murder and sex crimes.
As a Category C establishment, Warren Hill typically holds prisoners who cannot be trusted in open conditions but are considered unlikely to attempt escape.
A source told The Sun: "A worker managed to go home with a set of keys in his pocket without realising."
A prison has been forced to replace every cell door lock at a cost of £500,000 after a member of staff left the facility with a set of keys (stock image)
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The insider described the incident as a significant security concern.
He noted that staff would ordinarily be required to pass through checks before leaving and could not depart until keys had been signed back in.
The source added: "How he was able to stroll out the gates with them is anyone's guess."
The breach has raised serious questions about how established protocols failed to prevent a worker from exiting the facility with keys that provide access to cells housing dangerous offenders.
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Taxpayers now face a bill of £500,000 for locksmiths to fit new bolts throughout the prison (stock image)
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Former prison governor Ian Acheson said that something had clearly gone "catastrophically wrong" with the facility's security systems.
He said: "Officials cannot afford to take any chances that this risk is not eliminated.
"It's not cheap and it is extremely embarrassing."
Suffolk Constabulary confirmed it had been notified of the incident and officers were conducting enquiries (stock image)
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Suffolk Constabulary confirmed it had been notified of the incident and officers were conducting enquiries.
A Prison Service spokesman said: "Incidents like this are extremely rare.
"The prison has remained secure throughout and affected locks are already being replaced.”
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