Prison inmate still on run

A Christchurch prison inmate who wandered away from a work party yesterday remains on the loose.

Piripi Wiremu Raroa, 24, left the group on Lunns Road, Middleton, about 1pm.

Police and the Department of Corrections confirmed Raroa was a minimum security prisoner but did not reveal the charges he had been convicted on.

Corrections southern region operations manager Bill Bird said Raroa had been on temporary release to take part in community employment.

"This prisoner's sentence end date is next year, and his release to work placement was part of managing his reintegration back into the community. However, this incident will likely result in him facing criminal charges, his security classification will be reviewed and he will be removed from the release to work programme."

- NZPA