Police search for escaped NSW prisoner

A prisoner has escaped from a jail in the NSW Hunter region.

Myles Fergus Wilson's escape was reported after a search of the grounds and surrounds of the St Heliers Correctional Centre in Muswellbrook on Friday afternoon failed to find him.

It's understood the 58-year-old was in jail for minor offences but police won't provide more information.

He is of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, slim, with light coloured hair. He was last seen wearing a green high-visibility shirt and green tracksuit pants.