Katrina Epiha, a prison fugitive, escaped from two prison officers, one of whom was handcuffed

A convicted murderer managed to turn two Corrections officers around, despite being handcuffed to one of them.

Karina Epiha escaped from custody in the early hours of Friday morning and has been on the run ever since.

The 22-year-old was last seen running towards Gray Ave in Mangere just after 12:30 p.m.

Lynette Cave, regional commissioner for the Department of Corrections, said Epiha managed to escape while being returned to prison from Middlemore Hospital.

“The inmate required off-site medical treatment for an injury that could not be performed at the prison,” it said in a statement.

“She was accompanied by two prison officers. The prisoner was handcuffed to one of those prison officers.”

Police were immediately called in and have been actively searching for her ever since, Cave said.

“A full operational review of the circumstances of the incident is underway,” Cave said.

The Department of Corrections was unable to provide further information on the leak as the review was ongoing, it said.

Police are appealing to the public for any sightings of Epiha and warning anyone who helps her avoid the police that they could be prosecuted.

Officers searched multiple addresses and conducted a significant amount of investigations over the weekend, but have yet to locate her.

“Epiha is a dangerous person and the police want to assure the community that we are doing everything possible to locate her,” police said yesterday.

Epiha has large distinctive tattoos on both sides of her face and information regarding her whereabouts will be treated in strict confidence.

Anyone who sees or has information on Epiha should contact 111 immediately and stay away from her.

Epiha was convicted of fatally stabbing 32-year-old mother Alicia Maree Nathan, also known as Robinson, and threatening to kill another woman on Avonhead property in August 2017.

She is likely to be charged with escaping custody, which can result in a maximum sentence of five years in prison, Cave said.