Prisoner still on the run, investigation launched

Escaped prisoner Tony Polwart. Photo / NZPA

The Corrections Department has launched a review after an inmate escaped from Auckland Prison at Paremoremo today.

Kevin James Polwart, 49, escaped from a lower security unit in the inmate employment workshop at the prison's west division just before midday.

He was described as Maori, 49 years-old, 165cm tall, and of medium build.

Police say he should not be approached.

Polwart was eight years into a sentence for the armed robbery of a security van and related offences.

Local residents were urged to check their homes and vehicles and anyone finding their homes insecure should contact police before going inside.

Police warned their search could cause traffic delays in the area.

Details of the escape would not be able to be fully determined until a review into the escape had been completed. However, it appeared Polwart managed to break through the perimeter fence in the workshop, Corrections national operations manager Robin Benefield said.

"Public safety is our absolute concern, and we have immediately instigated a review into the circumstances surrounding the escape," he said.

"We are obviously extremely concerned at this breach of security, and we are working closely with police as they undertake a search for this prisoner.

"One escape is one too many. We will be looking closely to see what exactly occurred so that we are able to put in place measures to stop it occurring again."

In 2001 Polwart escaped from Rimutaka Prison and was on the run for six weeks before he was recaptured in Porirua, north of Wellington.

At the time he was serving 10 years for aggravated robbery when he and his brother stole $600,000 in a security van robbery at Paraparaumu.

- NZPA