Stuart Holmes left the minimum security prison grounds in Murchison around 3.30pm and hasn’t been seen since. 

Police were notified and a search of the immediate area was conducted but Holmes is yet to be found. 

Investigators now believe he was picked up in a vehicle by a woman known as Kelly Doolan or Kelly Macdonald. 

There is a warrant out for the arrest of the 37-year-old Benalla woman for failing to answer bail. 

She is described as Causcasian, 157cm tall with brown eyes and long blonde hair. 

Both are believed to be travelling in a 2003 silver Nissan Pulsar with registration SKO-268. 

The 35-year-old is described as being of Pacific Islander appearance and around 178cm tall with a solid build, brown eyes and short cropped greying hair. 

When last seen he was wearing prison greens. 

Investigators have released photos of the pair in the hope someone may recognise them and provide information on their whereabouts. 

Anyone who sees Holmes or Doolan/Macdonald or the silver Nissan Pulsar is urged not to approach them but to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

EARLIER: A search is underway for a prisoner who escaped from Dhurringile Prison in Murchison, near Rushworth on Monday afternoon. 

Stuart Holmes left the minimum security prison grounds around 3.30pm and hasn’t been seen since. 

Police were notified and a search of the immediate area was conducted but Holmes is yet to be found. 

The 35-year-old is described as being of Pacific Islander appearance and around 178cm tall with a solid build, brown eyes and short cropped greying hair. 

When last seen he was wearing prison greens. 

Investigators believe he may have left the prison in a car and have released a photo of him in the hope someone may recognise him.

Anyone who sees Holmes is urged not to approach him but to call Triple Zero (000) immediately.