Search for prisoner who fled while at funeral

12:39 pm on 23 June 2017

A prisoner on compassionate leave escaped while attending a funeral in Te Atatu yesterday.

The low-security prisoner from Spring Hill prison in North Waikato was being escorted by two Corrections officers at the time.

The Corrections Department said police were trying to find the man and a border alert had been activated.

Prison director Chris Lightbown said a full operational review was being carried out.