Prisoner escapes from Hutt Hospital

Wipei Awatere is a remand prisoner at Rimutaka Prison. Photo / Ross Setford

A prisoner escaped from hospital last night.

Police are searching for Wipei Awatere, 29, who escaped from the custody of two corrections officers.

Awatere, a remand prisoner at Rimutaka, escaped from Hutt Hospital.

A Department of Corrections spokesman said this may not have been the first time the prisoner had escaped from custody. It was believed Awatere may have told officers he had swallowed razor blades as a ruse to be sent to hospital.

Corrections said it would conduct a review of how prisoners were managed in hospital.

A Police spokesman said Awatere was no specific risk to the public, but should not be approached.