The 28-year-old, who ACT Policing described as having a distinctive rat's tail and tattoos, was being taken from the Alexander Maconochie Centre to Canberra Hospital on Friday afternoon.

Police said a woman driving a white Jeep rammed the transport vehicle - a Toyota Camry - on Oxley Street in Griffith about 4.10pm.

The man, who was handcuffed at the time, subsequently fled with the woman in the Jeep, according to police.

The Jeep was torched and found ablaze in Forrest about 40 minutes later.

Police appealed for help as they scoured the ACT for the escapee, but identified him only by physical description and did not disclose the man's name or provide a picture of him.

The force said it later received information from the public, however, that the 28-year-old was "hiding in a house in Lyneham".

"Specialist negotiators facilitated the safe surrender of the man at about 9pm after he was found hiding in the roof space," ACT Policing said in a statement late on Friday night.

"Two females, believed to have been involved in the escape, were also arrested at the Lyneham house.

"All three people have been transported to the ACT Watch House.

"Investigations will continue to confirm the sequence of events which occurred today."

The trio is expected to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday morning.

Speaking to reporters when the escapee was still at large, Detective Acting Inspector Shane Scott said he could not recall "anything like this" despite a lengthy career as a police officer in Canberra.

"It's a little bit like a scene out of a Hollywood movie," he said.

While the escapee was on the loose, police said he had a distinctive "rat's tail" at the back of his head and tattoos on his right upper arm.

The man was described as being about 193cm tall and of Caucasian appearance, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

He was wearing a blue jumper and blue tracksuit pants when he went free.

Detective Acting Inspector Scott said he believed the man was a sentenced prisoner.

"At this point in time I don't have any information to suggest that this person is dangerous. It's a line of inquiry. I'm not fully aware of his criminal history or background," he said while the escapee was at large.

"But given that he's escaped in broad daylight from corrections, we're treating it with caution."

The woman police said had rammed the Corrective Services car was described as being in her 20s with long, straight, mousy blonde hair. She was said to have been wearing a black face mask.

No description was given of the second woman who was believed to have been involved.

READ MORE:

Friday's escape added to a list of controversies that have beset the Alexander Maconochie Centre and its prison transport unit.

In December last year, a review by the inspector of Correctional Services found one of the prison transport trucks was in urgent need of replacement due to poor maintenance and a design flaw.

It also found that two new vehicles bought for the transport unit were not fit for purpose, and some officers were not familiar with emergency management procedures.

While there have been numerous security breaches at Canberra's jail, only two prisoners - Patrick McCurley and Jacob MacDonald - have managed to escape in the past five years. Both men were recaptured.

Anyone with information about Friday's incident has been asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

Information can be provided anonymously.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: