Four inmates have been recaptured after escaping from Greenough Regional Prison, on the outskirts of Geraldton in Western Australia, but police say "a few more" are believed to be at large.
It comes after reports up to 10 inmates broke out of the facility, on Edward Road in Narngulu, about 400 kilometres north of Perth.
Smoke was also seen coming from the jail during what police called a "disturbance".
A WA Police spokeswoman said they were notified of the disturbance around 4:30pm on Tuesday, warning inmates may be in the surrounding area.
Residents were urged to lock their doors and windows, and if driving in the area to keep doors locked.
Shortly before 7:00pm, police said four prisoners had been recaptured.
"It is believed there are a few more inmates at large and police remind the public to be aware of their personal safety if travelling or living in the vicinity," the police spokeswoman said.
Witnesses reported seeing smoke and spotlight beams coming from the prison, as well as hearing yelling and the sound of a megaphone.
Roads leading to the facility have been blocked, while an ambulance entered the prison earlier in the evening.
It is not known if any of the escapees are considered dangerous.
Union blames prison understaffing, overcrowding
Responding to the breakout, the WA Prison Officers Union (WPOU) said the State Government was warned about "unsustainable" staffing at regional prisons during a meeting with the Justice Department earlier in the day.
WAPOU acting secretary Paul Ledingham said understaffing was a statewide issue.
"They need to act now and they need to fund what is an overcrowded prison population statewide," he said.
"There are no savings to be made by reducing the number of prison officers in prisons across the state, because this is the outcome."
Greenough prison is designed to hold 223 inmates.
However, a report by the Inspector of Custodial Services Neil Morgan at the start of 2017 found the facility was holding 323 prisoners at the time, meaning it was operating at almost 150 per cent of its capacity.
It found relations between staff and inmates had fallen to such a low level, they were posing a security risk.
"The increase in prisoner numbers, the declining budget and the need to do more with less is creating pressures at the prison," Mr Morgan said.
There were more concerns about overcrowding at the prison last year when it was revealed some inmates were being forced to sleep on the floor.
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