Prisoner escapes after van ambush A prisoner has escaped after a van taking inmates to court was ambushed today, sources said. The prison van was stopped by a car and its driver was threatened before the prisoner escaped, police sources said. The van was taking inmates from Hewell prison in Redditch to Staffordshire Crown Court when the ambush happened at about 8.15am, it is understood. The windscreen of the van was smashed and the driver threatened with a blade, sources said. Hewell prison houses more than 1,400 inmates across three blocks holding category B, C and D prisoners. The incident is being investigated by officers from West Mercia Police.