“The fact of the matter is I will let Corrections Victoria and Victoria Police provide you with updates as to the three people not accounted for at Beechworth,” he said. 

Mr Andrews faced questions about the security of Beechworth Corrections Facility during a visit to Wodonga today for a regional jobs announcement.

He said the opposition had four years in power and had achieved little. 

His comments came after the opposition on Wednesday said the government had lost control of “every aspect” of the justice system.

UPDATE, 1.30pm: Warrnambool police officers are continuing a manhunt for jail escapee Geoffrey Pennell after he was believed to be sighted in the city earlier today.

Mr Pennell lives in Camperdown and committed his latest offending, including an aggravated burglary, in his home town.

He escaped from Beechworth prison overnight Tuesday with two other men.

Police received a report Mr Pennell was sighted in Warrnambool early Thursday morning and have been conducting an extensive search ever since.

Camperdown police office have also been keeping a close eye on addresses he is known to frequent in the town.

Earlier, Thursday: Warrnambool police are now looking into the possible sighting of a jail escapee.

Officers at the Warrnambool police station have just received the report and are currently coordinating efforts to try and confirm the sighting.

Police members are conducting searches throughout the city.

Wednesday: 6.30pm: The police search continues for three men, including Camperdown’s Geoffrey Pennell, who escaped from Beechworth prison late Tuesday night or in the early hours of Wednesday.

Fugitive taskforce detectives are appealing for public assistance to locate a car that had been stolen from Everton overnight on Tuesday.

Police said the 1988 blue Mercedes sedan had been stolen from Beechworth-Everton Road at 3.20am. The registration is 1GI3BT.

Wangaratta Detective Senior Sergeant Garry Barton said on Wednesday the men should not be approached if they were spotted.

“They’re not a danger to the public, but we ask if members of the public, especially in the Beechworth area, have any information to contact Crime Stoppers,” he said.

“If anyone in the Beechworth area saw three people who could be prisoners, have something missing from their house or anything that may assist us should call.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Barton said it was too early in the investigation to know if the men have local links or where they might be headed.

“We want anyone who knows these people to contact us – we will arrange for their surrender,” he said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Barton said the search for the missing prisoners was wide-ranging.

“We’re working with members from the fugitive taskforce down in Melbourne and all the resources of Victoria police and corrections – we’re all working together collaboratively,” he said.

1.48PM: VICTORIA Police are searching for three men – including Camperdown’s Geoffrey Pennell – who escaped from the Beechworth jail.

A police spokesperson said Pennell, 34, of Lawrence Street, Billy Sperling, 25 and Thomas Smith, 27, escaped from the minimum-security facility overnight on Tuesday.

Police have released information on each man: 

Pennell is serving time for an aggravated burglary in Camperdown as well as theft, drug, traffic and damage-related offences.

He is described as Caucasian with blue/grey eyes, a thin build and is about 178cm tall.

Sperling is serving time for property, traffic, assault and drug-related offences.

He is described as Caucasian with brown eyes, a medium build and 178cm tall.

Smith is serving time for traffic, property, drug and damage-related offences.

He is described as Caucasian with green eyes, a medium build and about 187cm tall.

Corrections Victoria have confirmed the escape of three prisoners from minimum-security Beechworth Correctional Centre. 

Police were notified immediately after the prisoners were discovered missing early Wednesday morning. 

Corrections Victoria is assisting police to locate the offenders as quickly as possible. 

Beechworth is a minimum-security prison farm for low-risk offenders, many of whom are nearing the end of their sentence and preparing to transition into the community. 

The State Opposition’s Corrections spokesman Edward O’Donohue accused Premier Daniel Andrews of losing control of every aspect of the justice system after the trio escaped.

“Under Daniel Andrews we’ve had four part-time Corrections Ministers in the last 18 months who simply aren’t up to the job,” Mr O’Donohue said.

“Under Daniel Andrews the number of prison escapes is up, reoffending is up and we have a justice system that fails to deter or rehabilitate criminals.

Mr O’Donohue said all three escapees had convictions for a range of offences.

“Corrections Minister Gail Tierney must answer what screening and assessment process was undertaken to these criminals being transferred to a minimum security prison.”