A MANHUNT is underway for a convicted rapist who busted out of prison on Friday.

Officials say inmate Samuel Hartman, 38, escaped from Brickeys Prison in east Arkansas.

Police have yet to disclose how Hartman managed to break out of the facility.

Hartman, a white man, is described as 5 foot 9 inches and weighing approximately 230 pounds.

Officials say the inmate has tattoos of a rose, heart, sword, "Forever & Always," and "Sam-N-Christine" spread across his body.

Hartman was sentenced to life in prison in 2013 after being convicted of rape charges in Franklin County.

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Cops say his last known address was in the tiny town of Magazine, over 100 miles from Little Rock.

Brickey Prison, also known as East Arkansas Regional Unit, houses a variety of custody levels from minimum to maximum security inmates.

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