Prison police in central China's Hunan Province said Tuesday they will offer rewards of up to 50,000 yuan ($7,320) in a bid to capture an escaped prisoner.

Liu Hong escaped from Deshan prison in Changde on Sunday morning, said Huang Chunyang, director of the Hunan bureau of prison administration.

Liu was sentenced to 20 years in prison on January 16 this year on charges of larceny and prison escape.

Huang said the bureau will offer a reward of 20,000 yuan for information leading to the capture of the convicted criminal and 50,000 yuan to anyone who capture him.

Police have set up blockades on main roads and about 300 policemen were involved in the manhunt.

Tuesday's Xiaoxiang Morning Post cited prison police as saying that Liu allegedly broke a hole in the prison wall.

Liu allegedly stole a coat, a mobile phone and some money at a nearby farmer's home and escaped on a motorcycle, the local newspaper said.

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