A prisoner who escaped custody two weeks ago in Whakatane has been arrested in New Plymouth this morning.



Mana Tangitutu, 27, slipped out of a Whakatane District Court cell on October 3 after being handed a four month prison sentence for assault.



He had been put in the cell by police officers on prison escort duty. While they dealt with another prisoner, Tangitutu escaped.



Cordons were put in place a few minutes later, but he had managed to leave the building.



Police today said they coordinated a search warrant at a house in New Plymouth where Tangitutu was arrested without incident.



He will appear in the New Plymouth District Court today charged with escaping custody.