The pair handed themselves in to staff at Gloucester Prison

Audie Carr, 29, and Benjamin Clarke, 23, told Gloucester Prison staff they wanted to finish their sentences there instead of at Leyhill Open Prison.

At Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday, Jon Holmes, defending, said: "They both wanted a stricter regime."

Both men are charged with escape from lawful custody.

The court heard that Carr, from Hereford, and Clarke, of Gloucester, had beaten drugs habits while in prison and were worried about their continued rehabilitation at Leyhill, which they alleged was "rife with drugs".

"They spoke to officials and asked to be transferred but their request was declined," Mr Holmes said.

Mike Davis, prosecuting, said the pair escaped from Leyhill on 9 March and handed themselves in at Gloucester Prison the next day.

The men will hear at their next court appearance whether a criminal prosecution against them will go ahead, or whether the case will be dealt with internally by the Prison Service.

At the time of their escape, Clarke was serving an 18-month prison sentence imposed at Gloucester Crown Court on 1 March for two offences of burglary and theft.

Car began a five-month sentence on 8 April for assault, resisting arrest and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced at Hereford magistrates' court.

Both men started their sentences at Gloucester Prison but were then transferred to Leyhill.

They were remanded in custody at Gloucester Prison until 1June.