More than 40 prisoners are on the run after they escaped this morning from Beon Correctional Facility in Madang Province.
Twenty-five were convicts while 23 were remandees awaiting trial.
From unofficial reports, the inmates escaped between 8 and 10am this morning when the duty official was asleep.
The inmates at the main compound jumped over the fence at the back where it is not visible to other CS officers except the duty officer stationed there.
Madang Provincial Police Commander, Supt. Rubiang Manzuc, revealed one of the escapees was recaptured by police, however, the rest are still at large.
Supt Rubiang Manzuc, says police are working with Correctional service officers to apprehend the escapees.
Rubiang has also warned residents of Madang to be cautious and be on high alert as some of the escapees are very dangerous.
The duty guard is expected to be handed over to police to be criminally charged for negligence
In 2013, there was a mass break out where 49 prisoners escaped from Beon Jail during a shift change.
