Following the recent series of escapes from Castle Huntly open prison regime, ustice Minister Kenny MacAskill says "absconds will happen"

Convicted murderer John Brown, 57, failed to return to Castle Huntly, near Dundee, on Wednesday from home leave.

"Absconds from the open estate will happen, however tight the criteria applied to those sent there, because of the nature of open prisons, and we take each one extremely seriously," he said.

"In the case of this individual, who has failed to return from home leave, he will be located by the police and returned to custody. Following the actions of this Scottish Government to tighten the criteria for admission to the open estate, absconds from the open estate are now at a record low level 16 in 2008/09, compared to 79 in 2006/07 and 98 in 1996/97.

"This prisoner was transferred to an open prison on the recommendation of the Parole Board, in order to test his suitability for release, and was potentially due for release in July. He has no history of absconding from the open estate, and had already completed one successful seven-day period of home leave in April this year.

"However, Professor Alec Spencer has agreed to carry out a review of the application of criteria for admission to the open estate, and will be able to consider the circumstances of this particular abscond as part of that review."

MacAskill has faced down calls from opposition parties to resign.