A dangerous inmate in jail for attempting to hack a man's arm off with a 3ft machete has escaped from his cell in Suffolk – the second prisoner to escape from the facility in 48 hours.

Guards at Hollesley Bay prison alerted police after 30-year-old Lewis Powter failed to turn up for the 8pm roll call yesterday.

Powter, who was serving a sentence for grievous bodily harm with intent, is described as white, of medium build, around 5ft 10ins, clean-shaven with brown hair and blue eyes.

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He also bears a distinctive Dennis the Menace tattoo on his right arm, according to police who have issued an appeal.

The prisoner was last seen at around 6.30pm wearing a blue jumper with a white T-shirt, blue jeans and white Ralph Lauren trainers. Police say the man could be heading for Cambridgeshire, where he is said to have connections.

News of the breakout comes just hours after 49-year-old Paul Oddysses went on the run from the same jail at around 1pm on Saturday.

Oddysses 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.

The disappearance of the first prisoner prompted a statement from the Ministry of Justice, who insisted that public safety was a “priority”.

“The Justice Secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has ordered immediate and major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility,” a spokesman said.

"Absconds have reached record lows under this Government - down 80% over the last 10 years - but each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency.”