Shawshank prison break

Prisoners copy Shawshank film to escape

Two prisoners have escaped from a New Jersey jail after copying the same escape plan as Tim Robbins when he starred in the Hollywood blockbuster The Shawshank Redemption.

US police are on the fourth day of an ever-mounting manhunt, but seem no closer to catching the fugitives, who dug their way to freedom through the wall of their prison cell, using just a piece of wire and a circular piece of metal.

The prisoners even covered the huge hole they were digging in the wall of their cell with a poster – just as Tim Robbins' character did in the movie.

The two inmates, Otis Blunt, awaiting trial on robbery and weapons charges and Jose Espinosa, due to be sentenced over a shooting, fled at dawn on Saturday. The pair left a note behind which read: 'Thank you. You're a pal. Happy holidays.'