UPDATED 4:29pm: There's still no sign of a prisoner who escaped from Rimutaka Prison in Wellington.

29-year-old Wipei Awatere saw an opportunity to scarper when he was taken to Hutt Hospital last evening.

Awatere is a remand prisoner and police are currently seeking information from the public to help with their search.

Awatere escaped from the custody of two corrections officers at Hutt Hospital last night.

A Department of Corrections spokesman said this may not have been the first time the prisoner had escaped from custody.

It was believed Awatere may have told officers he had swallowed razor blades as a ruse to be sent to hospital.

Corrections said it would conduct a review of how prisoners were managed in hospital.

A police spokesman says Awatere was no specific risk to the public, but should not be approached.