Violent drug dealer who fled prison in Labour’s early release chaos still at large 700 days later

A violent drug dealer who fled prison while a second set of inmates were freed under Labour’s early release scheme is still at large more than 700 days after absconding from HMP Kirkham, GB News can exclusively reveal.Elliot Riley, 33, who had been sentenced to spend eight years behind bars following a major drug-busting operation by Greater Manchester Police, was spotted climbing over a barbed-wire-topped fence at the category D prison live on GB News on October 22, 2024.More than 1,100 inmates were released from prison on the same day, with prisoners who were banged up for five years or more being released after serving just 40 per cent of their sentences.A Prison Service spokesman told GB News: "We are working with the police to recapture this individual, and we urge anyone with information to go to the police. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say “Prisoners who abscond face strict punishments, including a return to a closed prison and being prevented from moving to open conditions for up to two years.”The People’s Channel understands inmates only move into open jails after a careful risk assessment and will be returned to a closed category prison if there is evidence of an increased risk.Staff at HMP Kirkham and officers from Lancashire Police launched an immediate investigation after Riley absconded.However, a police source revealed the ongoing search will primarily revolve around circulating information across forces of interest to the suspect.“They will simply be sharing information and doing some routine checks,” they said.“But the truth of the matter is that I think he’s only going to get caught if he commits another crime or makes his whereabouts known by going public.”Lancashire Police was unable to provide GB News with an update on Riley's whereabouts.Riley, who was found guilty of conspiracy to supply drugs and possession of criminal possession, was sentenced in April 2024.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSViolent drug dealer still loose 365 days after GB News captured moment inmate 'escaped' prison Search for drug dealer who escaped prison CONTINUES 100 days after GB News caught moment inmate fled Search for prison escapee continues as police name inmate who jumped fence on early release dayHe was sentenced following a drugs sting by Greater Manchester Police alongside 15 other men.The group was responsible for the movement of at least 75 kilograms of high-purity cocaine, which had an estimated street value of £75million.When officers attempted to arrest Riley, the 33-year-old attempted to flee their clutches in his underwear.Riley, who is from Middleton in Greater Manchester, sustained several minor injuries, including small cuts on his hands, when he tried to destroy two mobile phones, which were later recovered by the police.A dozen inmates escaped from prison in the 12 months to March 2025, with two still at large 30 days later.Over the same period, 57 inmates had absconded from lower-category prisons, including Riley.More than 260 inmates were also released in error in the 12 months to March 2025.However, GB News can reveal that Riley remains unlawfully at large just one week before Labour is due to release a further 700 inmates on October 1.A second tranche of 650 convicts will be free to walk the streets on October 13. Prisons in England and Wales are running at 97 per cent capacity, with the latest Ministry of Justice figures showing the number of available spaces across the male prison estate at its lowest this year, with about 1,500 free spaces.But Riley’s case has fuelled fresh claims that Labour’s early-release scheme is descending into chaos.Reform UK's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf added: "The early release scheme has been nothing short of catastrophic, and Labour’s latest changes have yet to even begin."If a criminal can escape prison and evade capture for 700 days, what confidence does that give victims and the British public that dangerous criminals released early will be properly monitored and managed?"Andy Burnham has already been forced to U-turn on his initial early release plan after more than one million Britons signed a petition opposing the release of two of PC Andrew Harper's killers. The 28-year-old Thames Valley Police officer was responding to a burglary in Berkshire in 2019 when he was dragged along a road by a vehicle as three teenagers fled the scene of a quad bike theft.GB News also revealed that four rape gang leaders who were jailed for a combined total of 45 years were released under the scheme. The Prime Minister later insisted he understood the "anguish" of victims and "listened to what they were saying".Mr Burnham told MPs: "I came in and asked for changes to the early release scheme, and we excluded rape, grooming, and child sex offences."But the Prime Minister has been warned that Labour's plan risks creating a "doom loop" where the criminal justice system goes from "crisis to crisis". Claire Waxman, the victim's commissioner, said earlier this month: "I am still seeking assurance that the Government has a credible answer to how it will manage more offenders in the community while managing risk, protecting victims and ensuring agencies have the capacity to act quickly when warning signs emerge." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter