Police search for Long Bay jail escapee

An inmate at Long Bay jail serving an 18-month sentence has escaped.

Leigh Keefe, 41, who was behind bars for a break and enter offence, went missing on Friday morning after finishing cleaning duties at the Sydney prison, police media says.

Officers launched a search after realising the minimum security inmate had escaped after performing a head count.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, of medium build and having receding brown hair.

Keefe was last seen wearing prison greens and is known to frequent the Campbelltown area.

Anyone who sees the man or knows where he is urged to call triple-zero.