It was unclear how long correction officers were hunting for the inmate.
When asked for details, Department of Correction spokesman Jason Kersten said in a statement, "There has been no escape."
But the DOC did not answer a series of follow-up questions, including how the agency defined an escape.
About a year ago, Arthur L. Brown, 37, of Brooklyn climbed down from the exercise area on top of the George R. Vierno Center and made it into the water before being captured.