A photo of a prisoner who is on the run after escaping custody at Waikato Hospital shows him scaling down the outside of the building - reportedly from the eighth floor.

Police have urged the public not to approach Damon Anderson, a prisoner who escaped Corrections custody at Waikato Hospital last week.

He is not considered an immediate risk to the public, but anyone who sees him should avoid contact and call 111.

“If you see him please call 111 or alternatively, information can be provided to police, online or by calling 105 quoting file number 241223/5693,” police said.

Spring Hill prisoner Damon Anderson, 48, escaped from Waikato Hospital by scaling down a pipe.

RNZ reported the 48-year-old was wearing handcuffs and a GPS monitor when he escaped on Sunday.

A photo sent to the Herald now appears to shed more light on his daring escape.

In the image, the Spring Hill Corrections Facility remand prisoner appears to be shirtless, scaling down a pipe on the outside of the building.

“He is coming down from eighth floor,” an anonymous source told the Herald.

Spring Hill general manager Scott Walker told RNZ public safety was the prison’s top priority and any escape was unacceptable.

Damon Anderson, 48, escaped Waikato Hospital during a visit from prison. Photo / Police

An immediate review of how the incident occurred would be carried out.

A Corrections spokesperson would not say how many staff were escorting the prisoner when he escaped, but said none were injured.