Risdon Prison inmate Graham John Enniss reclassified as maximum security prisoner after escape, says Premier Will Hodgman

A Risdon Prison inmate who escaped and prompted an extensive manhunt has been reclassified, Premier Will Hodgman says.

Graham John Enniss has been reclassified as a maximum security prisoner after his escape from Risdon Prison. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

An inmate who escaped Risdon Prison on Monday and prompted a manhunt that lasted more than 24 hours has been reclassified as a maximum security prisoner, Premier Will Hodgman says.

During question time in parliament this morning, Opposition Leader Rebecca White took Mr Hodgman to task over why escapee Graham John Enniss was in the minimum security Ron Barwick facility at the prison.

Enniss — who is serving an eight-year sentence for shooting at police in 2015 — was caught by police about 11.40am on Tuesday having been on the run since Monday morning when he accessed the roof of a building and cleared a boundary fence.

Ms White said the community was outraged that a “dangerous and violent criminal” had escaped, and said it was only thanks to the work of Tasmania Police that Enniss was back in custody.

Opposition Leader Rebecca White during question time. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Hodgman said since Enniss was recaptured, he had been put into maximum security.

Mr Hodgman said Labor had “the saddest faces” when news filtered through that Enniss had been apprehended.

“They were so disappointed,’’ he said.

Tasmania Police search for escaped prisoner Graham John Enniss earlier this week. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Ms White called for an independent inquiry into the justice system, saying a full review into the escape announced by the Government was not good enough.

Mr Hodgman argued that would not be necessary.

“These issues need to be properly investigated by the experts, not armchair critics,’’ he said.

Mr Hodgman accused Labor of scaremongering on the issue.

Labor corrections spokeswoman Ella Haddad described Risdon Prison as a “pressure cooker”.

She asked the Government to rule out cuts to the Tasmanian Prison Service.

Mr Hodgman did not, but said the Government was recruiting up to 90 new correctional officers.

“How could that be described as cutting?” he said.