EDMONTON -- Police are searching for a prisoner who escaped from the Edmonton Institution for Women on Wednesday night.

Cierra Childress, 22, is described as:

  • 5’5” tall
  • 170 pounds
  • Black hair and black eyes

The woman reportedly climbed over a fence at the institution at 111 Avenue and 178 Street around 11:30 p.m. and took off on foot. Police say she was last seen around 170 Street and 114 Avenue, running east.

Police say if you see her, she should not be approached.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call EPS at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Childress is currently serving a two-year sentence for multiple crimes, including stolen credit cards and the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. 

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) said it is working with the Edmonton Police Service to find Childress and will investigate the circumstances of her escape.

"CSC takes escapes very seriously and public safety remains the paramount consideration," it said in a written statement to CTV News Edmonton. "CSC regularly assesses all inmates to ensure that they are placed at the appropriate security level."

CSC said the public will be notificed when the offender is caught. 

This is a developing story, more details will be provided as they become available.