Two more prisoners have absconded from a Suffolk open prison.

Paul Oddysses, 49, left Hollesley Bay, near Woodbridge, at lunchtime on Saturday. He was serving a life sentence for attempted robbery and robbery with a firearm.

He is described as white, around 5ft 6ins, of thin build, with brown hair, brown eyes and clean shaven. He also has a scar on the back of his head and tattoos on both arms. He has connections in the Hertfordshire and Essex areas.

Police are appealing for help in tracing a Hollesley Bay prisoner who absconded earlier today, Sunday 25 May.

And 30-year-old Lewis Powter last seen at 6.50pm yesterday and was not present for the 8pm roll check.

Powter who was serving an indeterminate sentence for grievous bodily harm with intent, is described as white, around 5ft 10ins, of medium build, with brown hair, blue eyes and clean shaven. He also has a tattoo on his right arm of Dennis the Menace.

He has connections in the Cambridgeshire area.

Police are asking anyone who may have seen him or anyone with information about where he is to contact officers. You should not approach him or take any further action.

The escapes from the open prison comes as the question of security at Britain’s jails has been raised up the prison agenda after a number of prisoners have failed to return after day release or have simply walked out of custody.

Suffolk Coastal MP Dr Therese Coffey said she was concerned to hear about the latest departure from Hollesley, but still felt there was a need for open jails to help prepare prisoners for release into society.

She said: “We need to have confidence that the right people are being put in open prisons, but it is important to prepare prisoners for life outside.”

She also pointed out that most prisoners who absconded from jail did not remain in the area long after they had left – they would try to get as far away as possible.

The number of inmates going missing from Hollesley Bay has almost doubled in recent years, with Ministry of Justice figures showing that 25 prisoners either absconded or failed to return from approved leave in 2012/13 – up from 17 in 2011/12 and 13 in 2010/11.