Prisoners on run cannot be named ‘due to privacy rights’

Wow. REALLY??

From the Telegraph:

Civil servants have refused to name inmates who have fled prison even though individual police forces will often identify them if they pose a risk to the public.

They say releasing their names would breach obligations under the Data Protection Act.

It echoes a row in 2007 when Derbyshire Police refused to release pictures of two escaped murderers.

That’s just bizarre. “There are murderes on the loose, but we’re not going to tell you their names or what they look like. Just assume that everyone you meet is out to kill you. Have a nice day.”