The police are currently carrying out a search for prisoner Joseph Cini, known as "il-Pele", in the vicinity of Rabat following reports that he was seen in the Nigret area.
Mr Cini escaped from custody this morning while being attended to as a patient at Mater Dei Hospital.
The Justice Ministry announced his escape in a statement this afternoon.
It said that the Corradino Correctional Facility authorities were informed of the escape at around 6.45 a.m.
Mr Cini was medically referred to Mater Dei Hospital yesterday after he complained he was suffering from severe chest pain. He was kept in hospital for observation and treatment.
At about 6.30 a.m. he managed to elude the two officers guarding him and made his way out of the hospital without their becoming aware of his absconding.
On his way out, he was accosted by another officer who was reporting for duty for a change of shift with the overnight officers.
The inmate took to his heels with the officer giving chase on foot in the direction of San Gwann Industrial Estate, where the officer lost sight of the prisoner.
Mr Cini was last seen wearing a light brown shorts and white tee-shirt with black stripes.
He is 171 cm tall, of slight build, dark complexion and has a shaven head. He sports several tattoos on various parts of his body and was barefooted when he escaped.
Mr Cini was remanded in custody for breaching bail conditions.
He had been granted bail after he was charged of causing grievous injuries to police officers and escaping police custody.
Further searches for Mr Cini are underway.
The police have been informed and a magisterial inquiry is being conducted by the duty magistrate Doreen Clarke.
Internal investigations are also being conducted to determine and identify any shortcomings in work procedures that may have contributed to this incident.
The two wardens who were guarding the prisoner have been suspended pending these investigations.
Any information on Mr Cini's whereabouts should be passed on to the police on tel. 2122 1111.
In a statement, the opposition criticised the government for taking six hours to inform the public about the escape.