Corrective Services officers are assisting police in the search for Trevor Ross Ryan, 20, who escaped from the minimum security Mannus Correctional Centre about 3.30pm on Thursday.

Ryan, who is believed to be from Dubbo, is serving a maximum three years and three months for stealing, break and enter and driving offences.

He was eligible for parole consideration in February next year.

“They can basically just walk out any time they want but generally they’re there at the end of their sentence so it’s not in their interests to leave otherwise they get put into maximum security,” Sgt Craig Middleton, of Tumbarumba police, said.

Sgt Middleton said there had been no more sightings of the fugitive since Thursday night and no cars had been reported stolen.

“We’re still out there looking for him but he’s either gone to ground or he’s been successful in getting a lift or stealing a car that hasn’t been reported yet,” he said.

Sgt Middleton said police believe Ryan may be headed to Wagga.