The fugitive was convicted of the murder of his former mother-in-law in the town of Kuusamo in northern Finland. At the time, the court considered the crime to be very brutal and premeditated. The convict was a former resident of Kuusamo.

Police have asked the public for tip-offs relating to the convict's whereabouts but warn he should not be approached.

Commenting on the jail break, Senior Inspector Ari Juuti of the Criminal Sanctions Agency (RISE) says such occurrences are rare in Finland.

Friday’s break out was the first this year from behind the wall. Last year, only one prisoner escaped from a secure institution.

Juuti added that most escaped convicts are usually apprehended within a week.