Prisoner gets tangled in razor wire trying to escape Silverwater jail

A prisoner has becoming tangled in razor wire at Silverwater jail in Sydney's west after trying to make an escape this afternoon.

The female inmate, aged 36, became trapped in barb wire at the top of the fence while trying to escape the prison at 2pm as it prepared to go into its usual afternoon lockdown. 

Numerous rescue workers, police and a cherry picker were brought in to rescue her.

The fence she became trapped in is one of three which surround the prison.

The woman is being treated at the prison hospital for lacerations and other injuries.

Corrective Services NSW has launched an investigation into how the woman came to attempt the escape.