Prison inmate is still on the run after escaping custody

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A prison inmate is still on the run after escaping custody on Friday night, police say.

Police were searching for Wipei Awatere, 29, who escaped from the custody of two Correction Department officers.

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

He had told officers he had swallowed razor blades as a ruse to be sent to hospital.

The department would conduct a review of how prisoners were managed in hospital, the spokesman said.

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