Alan Coggins has a tattoo of a Chinese symbol on his right shoulder A 40-year-old prisoner has absconded from Prescoed open prison in Monmouthshire.
Gwent Police said Alan Coggins had failed to return to the jail near Usk on Friday.
He was convicted of actual bodily harm, arson and possession of an offensive weapon and sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court in January 2007.
The force has activated its operational plan to try to find him and the prison service is co-operating fully.
The public are advised not to approach Coggins, who is not a registered sex offender, a police spokesperson added.
It is believed there may be a potential risk to the public due to the fact that he is no longer in the custody of the prison service.
Coggins is about 1.75m (5ft 9in) tall, of a medium build, with brown hair and green/brown eyes.
He has a tattoo of a Chinese symbol on his right shoulder, and a scar on his right ankle and foot.
Anyone who sees him or has any information about his whereabouts is asked to call Gwent Police on 01633 838111.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.