Violent prison escapee with 'thug' neck tattoo captured in Hobart bushland

A violent criminal who escaped a Hobart prison and spent more than a day on the run has been caught by police.

Graham John Enniss, 38, was found in bushland at Risdon Vale, north of the city, around 11.40am today.

Acting Commander Jason Elmer said Ennis was found behind Downhams Road and was not armed at the time of his arrest.

He had escaped the minimum security section of Risdon Prison yesterday morning through the roof of a building and fled into the bush.

It sparked a full-scale land and air search, as schools were locked down and officers checked cars in nearby suburbs.

People initially warned people not to approach Enniss, who has the word "thug" tattooed on his neck.

Enniss was jailed for eight years in 2016 and has previously escaped custody.

In 2015, he went on a days' long crime spree in the state's northwest, stealing guns and breaking into homes, before shooting at police on a dairy farm.

He escaped a prison van, assaulting officers in the process, in 2010.

Enniss is 180cm tall with a solid build, and was last seen wearing dark tracksuit pants and a dark green jumper.

The 38-year-old's capture comes as police continue to search for another man after he ran out the front door of Burnie Police Station, on the island's northwest coast.

Brayden William Stanley, 26, had been arrested for skipping court but fled custody and took off in a stolen car, later found abandoned at Upper Burnie.

Stanley has face tattoos and short brown hair, and was wearing a navy t-shirt and black pants.

He's believed to be in the Burnie area and isn't considered dangerous but anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police.

He escaped a prison van, assaulting officers in the process, in 2010.