Neil Lavis, HM Northward’s new prison director, said some of the fencing at the men’s prison was “not fit for purpose”.

This statement came after three convicts, Steve Manderson, 44, serving life for murder; his son Marcus Manderson, 25, serving 10-years for possession of an unlicensed firearm; and Chadwick Dale, 22, who stabbed a woman with a screwdriver during a robbery, escaped last week.

The prisoners are all still at large even after an all island manhunt.

All three prisoners made their escape through the perimeter fence and the director said the fencing must be made more secure.

Acknowledging it was his ultimate responsibility Lavis said “we let the public down” and admitted the escape was the worst of his career.

He told the government the prison needed new fencing, better lighting and closed-circuit television coverage, including improved intelligence gathering and reporting within the prison.

Lavis only took on the job as prison director six weeks ago and is a 30 year veteran of the United Kingdom prison system.

His plans to move the prison forward by introducing more community engagement, with work-release programmes for low-risk prisoners will now be on hold.

“This is a big setback,” he said.