Prison becomes burglary victim

SUDBURY, England, May 12 (UPI) -- Staff at an open prison in England learned lawbreakers can get in as well as out when they discovered tools missing from a workshop.

The burglary at the Sudbury Prison took place sometime before 9 a.m. Monday, the Derby Telegraph reported. In addition to tools, oxyacetylene tanks and hoses were missing.

The prison was built as a U.S. military hospital during World War II and converted to its present function in 1948. It has something of a reputation for escaped inmates with 18 prisoners reported missing between April and September last year, including a man serving 12 years for manslaughter.

The Telegraph reported finding a hole in the fence during its own inspection Wednesday.

Inmates returning from day release found the break-in funny with one asking "How can they be expected to keep the prisoners in if they can't keep the burglars out?"

Prison authorities were tight-lipped, saying only that the theft is a "police matter."