An inquiry is underway after a prisoner absconded from custodial staff during a medical appointment at Waikato Hospital today.
The Department of Corrections said in a statement this afternoon the fugitive has since been arrested and was back in custody.
Spring Hill Corrections Facility general manager Scott Walker said police were immediately informed of the escape.
“A full operational review into the circumstances of the incident will be carried out.
“As the review will be ongoing, we are limited in the amount of information that we are able to provide at this stage.”
Corrections pointed out tens of thousands of prisoner escorts were carried out each year between prisons, courts, specialist medical facilities and rehabilitation providers.
“Any time a prisoner is required to be escorted outside of a prison, our focus is on safety, security and minimising risk to the public, our staff and prisoners.”
1News has sought comment from the hospital and police.