Graham Dean was jailed for murder in 1981

The Gwent force said it had decided to make details public of all absconded prisoners after a review of policy following "community concern".

Graham Dean, 60, convicted of murder in 1981, failed to return to the prison in June. He is not considered a risk.

Convicted burglar Tony Cowley, 43, is still listed as missing after failing to return to Prescoed in January 2001.

There have been a series of prisoners absconding from the open jail in recent weeks, which has prompted concern from local residents and politicians.

Last weekend it was also revealed Lee Dewhurst, from Rochdale in Greater Manchester, who was sentenced to life for murder 14 years ago, walked out of the prison in July.

The public have been advised not to approach him. He is believed to be in the Yorkshire area.

Gwent Police and Prescoed said on Monday they decided to release the information as part of a decision to publicise any future absconding incidents.

Public protection

They stressed that neither Dean or Cowley were though to be a risk to the public.

The force said previously, as in other areas in the country, the prison service and the police made an assessment of any potential risk an absconder posed.

The prison has had a series of abscondings over the summer

This had determined whether the public needed to be informed.

But a spokeswoman said: "In light of community concern, Gwent Police together with the prison service have revisited this policy and agreed that publicity will be sought for every future absconder.

"The protection of the public remains a priority at all times. Operationally, Gwent Police will continue to complete enquiries to return all absconders to prison."

Dean was originally convicted for murder in Newport Crown Court in November 1981.

Scars

He received a life sentence and was released on licence in 1992 but subsequently recalled by the parole board for a minor breach of his licence in 1996.

According to officers he is known to have contacts in the Bristol and Dorset area.

Described as of slight build, 5ft 9inch tall with greying hair police say it's not thought he's a risk to the public..

Cowley also known as Thomas Calley, Thomas Cawley, Thomas Patrick Cawley and William Russell failed to return to Prescoed in January 2001.

He was convicted of burglary in June 2000 at Cardiff Crown Court.

Described as 5ft 7inch tall with green eyes, short light brown curly hair and of thin build, Cowley has a one inch scar on his head, a scar on his lower lip and a tattoo of a cross on his left forearm.

Monmouth MP David Davies said: "I'm appalled that it has taken the prison authorities and the Home Office so long to come clean about these people.

"They may say they are low risk, but anybody who lives in Monmouthshire will feel it is an unacceptable risk to have a murderer and a burglar running around the countryside."