I was immediately advised by prison management earlier this morning that a minimum rated prisoner had escaped from the Ron Barwick Prison.
Any escape from a prison facility is completely unacceptable and I wish to thank Tasmania Police for their swift action in apprehending the prisoner so quickly and returning him to custody.
Police have confirmed the escaped prisoner was not armed and no members of the public were injured during the incident.
While a firearm was in the vehicle, the offender was not aware of it, it was locked away, and he did not have access to it at any stage.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.